Party leader’s move could trigger a wave of resignations from frontbench MPs.
Jeremy Corbyn is expected to whip Labour MPs to support a Brexit referendum in the indicative votes – but could face a wave of resignations from frontbenchers determined not to back it.
The Guardian understands a delegation of shadow ministers, including known second referendum sceptics Ian Lavery, Jon Trickett and Richard Burgon, held a meeting lasting more than two hours on Tuesday evening with John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor.
One shadow minister warned Labour would face “a very significant rebellion” if it tried to force MPs to back the motion, and another said: “If we whip for it, we won’t have a shadow cabinet by the end of the day.”
The motion, tabled by Dame Margaret Beckett, suggests parliament should not ratify any Brexit deal “unless and until” it has been approved in a “confirmatory public vote”.
One shadow cabinet source suggested the amendment went beyond what had been agreed by Corbyn in calling for a referendum on any deal passed by the house, which some believe undermines efforts to reach a compromise Brexit deal that Labour has pursued over recent weeks.
However, there was also a furious backlash on Wednesday morning from the pro-referendum wing of the party against an interview by the shadow international trade secretary, Barry Gardiner, in which he said Labour was “not a remain party now” and it could have difficulty supporting a motion for a referendum on any Brexit deal.
Gardiner also suggested Labour was concerned that the motion could suggest the party would allow Theresa May’s deal to pass if it led to a referendum.
“It would be saying we could accept what we have always said is a very bad deal. Therefore it looks as if the attempt to have a public vote on it is simply a way of trying to remain because nobody likes this deal,” Gardiner told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
“To put that up as the only alternative in a public vote and say we will let it go through looks as though you believe that, at the end of it, remain would be the result. It is not where our policy has been.
“Our policy is clearly that we would support a public vote to stop no deal or to stop a bad deal, but not that we would allow a bad deal as long as the public had the opportunity to reject Brexit altogether.”
He said Labour could not be portrayed as a party that wanted remain at any price. “The Labour party is not a remain party now. We have accepted the result of the referendum,” he said.
The comments sparked immediate concern among MPs that Labour would not whip to back the amendment, should it be selected by the Speaker.
The deputy leader, Tom Watson, tweeted within the hour that he supported the referendum approach. “I’ve had many calls about Barry Gardiner’s interview on BBC Radio 4 Today, which I missed. Whipping arrangement have not yet been agreed. I support the Kyle/Wilson amendment,” he tweeted.
Beckett said she had been led to believe Labour would support plans for a confirmatory referendum; and the Guardian understands scores of MPs met in parliament later, to demand that the party whip for it.
“I rest my understanding on what I heard Jeremy Corbyn, who is the leader of the Labour party, say at the dispatch box, which is that we will apply the principle on going back to the people for confirmation to any decision that we’ve reached,” Beckett said. “And that’s where we stand.”
McDonnell said Gardiner’s comments were “exactly in line with party policy” and that the decision would be made on whether to whip the Beckett motion after the Speaker, John Bercow, has selected the motions for debate.
“We have got to prevent a new deal, prevent a bad deal, advocate for our own policy, try to get a general election if we can, but failing that, if there is a log jam, yes we will if necessary go back to the people.”
Other attendees at Tuesday night’s meeting included Andrew Gwynne, Dan Carden and Laura Pidcock, the Guardian understands.
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. I think there is the potential of a majority for a close relationship with the single market. On the floor of the House of Commons there could be a coalition around that.”
As Brexit looms closer…
… The Guardian is here to help guide you through whatever lies ahead. More people are reading and supporting our independent, investigative reporting than ever before. And unlike many news organisations, we have chosen an approach that allows us to keep our journalism accessible to all, regardless of where they live or what they can afford.
The Guardian is editorially independent, meaning we set our own agenda. Our journalism is free from commercial bias and not influenced by billionaire owners, politicians or shareholders. No one edits our editor. No one steers our opinion. This is important as it enables us to give a voice to those less heard, challenge the powerful and hold them to account. It’s what makes us different to so many others in the media, at a time when factual, honest reporting is critical.
Every contribution we receive from readers like you, big or small, goes directly into funding our journalism. This support enables us to keep working as we do – but we must maintain and build on it for every year to come. Support The Guardian from as little as €1 – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
