This morning, the Leader of the Labour Party convened a meeting of the party’s Shadow Cabinet to agree a settled Brexit position.
Labour will now challenge whoever emerges as the leader of the Conservative Party to have the confidence to put their deal to the people in a referendum, with remain on the ballot, in which Labour would campaign for remain.
Today’s announcement follows weeks of consultations across the party and the wider labour movement.
Responding to the decision, Stephen Morgan, Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South said:
“I have long argued the only way to break the Brexit deadlock in Parliament, legitimise the outcome and allow us all to talk about something else, is to give the people a final say.
For over three years now, the Tories have bungled Brexit negotiations and the uncertainty is causing real damage, dragging down our local economy and putting Portsmouth jobs at risk. Labour put forward an alternative Brexit plan to protect jobs, but the Tories have refused to compromise.
I strongly welcome the news that the Labour leadership has consulted and importantly, listened. It is promising that the leadership is working together with the trade unions and has decided to back the campaign to remain in any referendum against either No Deal or a Tory deal that doesn’t protect jobs and living standards.
Whether you support leaving or remaining, everyone wants an end to this nightmare faced by our country.
Whoever the new Prime Minister is, they should have the confidence to put their deal to a public vote, with remain as an option. They must let the people of Portsmouth have their final say. Our voices must be heard”.
The Government has failed to deliver on the referendum and failed to back a compromise that could win support in Parliament. This has caused economic uncertainty and is putting jobs at risk.
The no deal being threatened by both Tory leadership candidates would be disastrous for our economy. It is irresponsible and is not what anyone voted for in 2016.
