Labour opts for status quo on second Brexit referendum after five-hour meeting
Labour’s top decision making body today stopped short of committing the party to support for a second Brexit referendum in the upcoming European election campaign.
After a five hour meeting, Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) decided not to back a second referendum in its European election manifesto.
Read more: Tories trail Brexit party, Labour and Change UK in EU elections poll
A Labour source said: “The NEC agreed the manifesto which will be fully in line with Labour’s existing policy; to support Labour’s alternative plan, and if we can’t get the necessary changes to the government’s deal, or a General Election, to back the option of a public vote.”
Earlier Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson denied reports he stormed out of a meeting of the shadow cabinet in a bust-up over the party’s stance on a second referendum.
Read more: Tom Watson leaves shadow cabinet meeting early over second referendum split
Watson tweeted: “I politely asked if the shadow cabinet were going to see the draft words and was told ‘no’. So I left to walk to the NEC where the document will be available and the decision will be made.”
A Labour Party Spokesperson, said: “Labour’s European Elections manifesto was agreed at the NEC today and it will be published soon.
“Labour is the only party which represents both people who supported leave and remain. We are working to bring the country together after the chaos and crisis created by the Tories.”