There were hopes among pro-Remain MPs that this year’s Labour conference would mark a sea change in the party’s Brexit policy. Instead, what’s been served up is a Brexit fudge that ultimately fails to soften the party position.
At last year’s conference, the Labour leader managed to keep Brexit off the conference floor. This year around it wasn’t possible with pro-EU members and unions – keen for a second referendum – voting for Brexit in the priority ballot. After a six-hour meeting to compose the motion last night, a fudge was agreed. The statement that is to be voted on says that if Theresa May’s deal doesn’t pass and there is no early election, all options will be left on the table. It’s hardly the clear manifesto pledge of a second referendum that many members and MPs had been pushing for.
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