On paper, Labour’s conference has managed to unite around the Brexit position set out by the leadership. Delegates this afternoon overwhelmingly approved the NEC statement endorsing Jeremy Corbyn’s plan to decide how the party will campaign in a referendum at a special conference after a general election. They then voted down the rebel composite motion which called for the party to campaign unequivocally for Remain from now on.
But what happened in the conference hall was chaotic and means the issue is unlikely to feel resolved for a lot of party members. The NEC vote was overwhelming, but the vote on composite 13 was much closer. So close, in fact, that there was a disagreement between those on the stage about which way it had gone. Chair Wendy Nichols managed to tell the room that it had been carried, and then that it hadn’t been carried, while also saying that Jennie Formby, sitting next to her, thought it had gone the other way.
For what it’s worth, I was sitting on the balcony which overlooks the floor, and took photos of the composite 13 vote.
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