Jeremy Corbyn hints he may back second Brexit referendum to heal Labour rift
JEREMY Corbyn has signalled he could finally back a second referendum on the Brexit deal in a bid to heal rifts within his party over the defection of eight MPs.
The Labour leader confirmed he will put a new motion to parliament leaving open the option of a second vote after meeting with Michel Barnier yesterday.
He also called on Theresa May to take no deal off the table despite admitting the bloc’s chief negotiator had told him the EU is terrified of it.
Mr Corbyn travelled to Brussels yesterday alongside shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer to push his plan for a customs union.
Asked about the possibility of a second referendum, the Labour leader replied: “We will put a motion to Parliament.
“Keir Starmer and I have put a motion to Parliament which included the option of a popular vote to confirm otherwise agreements that have been reached.
“That was rejected by Parliament at that stage. Clearly it is very much part of the agenda put forward by the Labour Parliament.”
He was referring to a plan hatched by Labour MPs Phil Wilson and Peter Kyle which would make Parliament hold a second referendum before endorsing a deal.
The next opportunity to table the motion will be next Wednesday’s vote.
After meeting Mr Barnier, the Labour leader also warned the possibility of Britain crashing out on March 29 is “very serious and very present”.
He said: “The threat of no deal is deeply exercising people throughout the EU.
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“They are very worried about the consequences of it and that was conveyed to us in no uncertain terms during the meeting.”
Mr Corbyn also met powerful eurocrat Martin Selmayr, who is secretary-general of the Commission, and the EU Parliament’s Brexit chief Guy Verhofstadt.
Afterwards he said the EU officials had “confirmed” their backing for his plans for a softer Brexit.
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