Labour sensation: Corbyn backs People’s Vote
A red flag flies as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks at a rally at Pier Head in Liverpool, ahead of the party's annual conference in the city Photo: PA / Stefan Rousseau - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed he will back a second referendum if Labour conference votes in favour.
As conference opened in Liverpool the Labour leader said although he was not calling for a People's Vote he would not 'walk away' from any decision delegates make.
'What comes out of conference I will adhere to. But I'm not calling for a second referendum. I hope we will agree that the best way of resolving this is a general election,' he told the Sunday Mirror.
READ: Behind enemy lines: Inside a Leave Means Leave rally
'But I was elected to empower the members of the party. So if conference makes a decision I will not walk away from it and I will act accordingly.'
Corbyn's words mean that both he and deputy leader Tom Watson have said they would support a People's Vote.
You may also want to watch:
Richard Angell, director of Progress, Labour's centre-left movement, said: 'Jeremy Corbyn has sent a clear and welcome message to his supporters that he would be happy for them to change Labour policy and back a People's Vote to stop a hard Brexit.
'The Labour leadership has consistently refused to rule out a public say on the final deal, and pressure from the grassroots means that the party now has the chance to take a next step and demand one.
Most Read
- 1 Jacob Rees-Mogg says it's 'all the EU's fault' musicians can't tour Europe
- 2 This chumocracy is costing our country
- 3 Bob Geldof takes swipe at No 10 saying 'lying is second nature' to them
- 4 Tory MP complains 'less scrutiny of trade deals' than when UK was in EU
- 5 No 10 says Biden removing Churchill bust ‘up to president’ despite Obama attack
- 6 Tory minister admits UK rejected EU's music visa offer in order to 'take back control' of borders
- 7 Fifteen ways to fix Britain
- 8 Piers Morgan tells Gavin Williamson to resign for being a 'catastrophe'
- 9 Who's on the BBC's Question Time tonight?
- 10 Poll finds Brexit-backing Wales would vote to rejoin EU
'It is vital that delegates are given a say and not denied this opportunity – conference should simply be asked whether or not Labour supports a People's Vote. Some in the party establishment blocked a vote on Brexit last year and they should not be allowed to deny members a say again this year or allow only a vague motion for debate.'
The final decision on whether a vote will take place will be made on Sunday evening.
MORE: 'Snowflake' minister Raab blocks anti-Brexit groups on Twitter after this photograph emerges
MORE: Britain staring down the barrel of no deal as May issues 'pathetic' challenge to EU
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
