Brexit news latest: Labour MPs whipped to support new referendum

Labour MPs were today being whipped to back holding a confirmatory referendum on a Brexit deal.

Party chiefs told Labour MPs to support the option for such a public vote, put down by former foreign secretary Dame Margaret Beckett with Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson.

If these options are selected by the Speaker, they will also be whipped to support options for a customs union, Labour’s official policy of a customs union with close alignment with the single market, as well as being advised to back the Common Market 2.0 solution which would keep Britain trading smoothly with the EU.

However, a number of Labour MPs were expected to defy the whip and refuse to vote for another referendum.

The Beckett amendment states: “This House will not allow the implementation and ratification of any withdrawal agreement and framework for the future relationship unless and until they have been approved by the people of the United Kingdom in a confirmatory public vote.”

However, it does not specify whether voters would be asked to decide between a deal or remaining in the EU.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he did not expect the indicative votes procedure to produce a clear result until Monday, but added: “I think there is quite a sizeable majority for a customs union emerging. There is the potential of a majority for a close relationship with the single market.”

Labour is bitterly divided over Brexit and infighting occurred this morning over how MPs would be told to vote.

Jeremy Corbyn ally Barry Gardiner was branded a “tin-pot dictator” after rejecting calls to support an amendment that would involve voting through Theresa May’s deal on the proviso that the public then get a final say.

It came after Peter Kyle MP told Radio 4’s Today programme he had been given assurances by the Labour leadership that they supported such a move.

Mr Kyle told the Standard: “By saying Labour isn’t a Remain party anymore and hinting that any public ballot would be a stitch-up, Barry sounds more like a tin-pot dictator who’s making it up as he goes along rather than a democrat who’s loyal to party policy.”

After Labour announced it would be supporting the Beckett amendment, Owen Smith MP tweeted: “Excellent news. Hope someone lets @BarryGardiner know.”