Robert Peston Robert Peston

Labour could fully back a second referendum tomorrow

Tomorrow at 1.30pm, Labour’s shadow cabinet, in a special Brexit session, may move towards making the historic decision to call for a referendum in ‘all circumstances’ – that is, on any Brexit deal agreed by parliament or on a no-deal Brexit.

That said, sources close to Jeremy Corbyn caution me against expecting any momentous announcement tomorrow.

By contrast, shadow cabinet members tell me that Corbyn is inexorably – if slowly – shifting Labour to become the referendum party, although one senior party member tells me a device will be found to delay the shift.

What gives credence to the idea that there will be a decisive move towards a confirmatory ballot is that Andrew Fisher, Corbyn’s policy adviser, has written a paper recommending that.

And, more surprisingly perhaps,  he is also said to have recommended that Labour should simultaneously adopt a position of campaigning to remain in the EU.

Robert Peston
Written by
Robert Peston
Robert Peston is Political Editor of ITV News and host of the weekly political discussion show Peston. His articles originally appeared on his ITV News blog.

Topics in this article

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in