Labour frontbencher defies Jeremy Corbyn to say snap election ‘not possible’ - and calls for fresh referendum
3 min read
A Labour frontbencher today defied Jeremy Corbyn by saying a general election to break the Brexit deadlock was “not possible” - as he argued a fresh EU referendum was the only option.
Steve Reed said Tory MPs would never agree to a snap election under UK laws and "only the people can break the logjam" through a new vote on quitting the EU.
Labour leader Mr Corbyn has committed to pushing for a general election in the hope Labour can form a government and take over negotiations.
The party has agreed that a so-called People's Vote referendum on the final Brexit deal Theresa May strikes with Brussels should be "on the table" as a last resort.
But Shadow Culture Minister Mr Reed said Labour must instead leap to pressing for a second referendum, which he said should include giving the option for voters to reverse the decision to leave in 2016.
“The Government has no majority, so what happens next will be a matter for Parliament,” he wrote in the Evening Standard.
“The Labour party agreed that if the deal failed the six tests and if a general election wasn’t possible, we would keep all options on the table including a public vote with remain as an option.
“Cabinet is split, Parliament is deadlocked, and a snap election is not possible under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act without Tory support.
“In these circumstances, we must let the people take back control of Brexit and decide our country’s future through a People’s Vote.”
Labour confirmed Mr Reed will not be disciplined for appearing to break ranks with official party policy.
'VERY BRAVE'
Former shadow minister and campaigner for the pro-EU Best for Britain group Owen Smith said Mr Reed was "absolutely right and incredibly brave in this call".
The Labour MP said: “I believe that there’s no way Labour can force a general election, much as we and the country might like one, and so the only way to stop Brexit and bring Britain back from the brink is to fight for a people’s vote."
A spokesperson for Mr Corbyn said of the frontbencher's comments: “We will seek to defeat the Government’s deal. The best outcome if it defeated is a general election.
“If that’s not achievable all options are on the table including the option of a public vote.
“That is our policy, and obviously the discussion about what he said and the consequences of that will take place.”
'GIVE LABOUR OPPORTUNITY TO GOVERN'
Meanwhile, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell argued Labour should be given the chance to run the country without a general election after the working Tory majority appeared to break down.
The DUP - which previously agreed to support the Government under a confidence and supply arrangement - has refused to back it in key votes in protest at Mrs May's Brexit plans.
Mr McDonnell told a Reuters event that his party should lead a minority administration should Mrs May fail to get her Brexit deal through the Commons next month.
“At that stage, we will be saying give us the opportunity. You’re a minority party, give us the opportunity to take over and see if we can form a government, a minority but with a majority position in parliament,” he said.
Mr McDonnell said if that option was denied, Labour would ramp up calls for a general election, but also accepted that getting the required backing for a general election under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act would be “very difficult”.
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