Labour MPs released a statement on Tuesday calling for a second referendum if support for a general election fails
Just hours before Jeremy Corbyn is due to move a vote of no confidence in the prime minister, 71 Labour MPs and 13 MEPs signed a letter backing a People’s Vote – calling it the “only logical option to help our country move forward”.
Fearful that a general election “may prove impossible” to secure, the politicians advocated for the immediate removal of the Tory government.
“[W]e now face a moment of national crisis, where the facts and the views of many people have changed – and are continuing to change” the letter reads.
The motion angered the party’s leadership with Corbyn’s spokesperson calling a second referendum “not the default option”.
“Right now the priority is to bring about a general election; we’ve got a no-confidence motion down today,” the added.
Former frontbencher Lilian Greenwood is among the MPs in support of a People’s Vote. She tweeted the Westminster photocall along with a link to the statement.
I want this Tory Government gone. My constituents need a Labour Government. But if we can’t get a General Election then I see no other option than going back to the people. https://t.co/ep4AblJBiZ pic.twitter.com/HR9n2pYcwe
— Lilian Greenwood (@LilianGreenwood) January 16, 2019
“We must try and remove this Government from office as soon as possible. But the removal of the Government and pushing for a General Election may prove impossible,” the letter said.
“So we must join Trade Unions, our members and a majority of our constituents by then unequivocally backing the only logical option to help our country move forward: putting the decision back to the people for a final say, in a public vote, with the option to stay and keep the deal that we have.”
The letter’s organisers said another 24 Labour MPs also supported a fresh referendum but had not signed the letter due to administrative reasons or because they already made their stance public. More backers are expected within the week.
The move heightened pressure on Corbyn to back a People’s Vote as he prepared to open the no-confidence debate.
