They're not alternative but part of the best solution
Many of the critics of Labour’s Brexit position are presenting a false choice between either supporting May’s Brexit deal or supporting a second referendum.
These are presented as two alternatives – accept Brexit or go full Remain. In fact though, the most realistic way of getting a second referendum is to make having one a condition of supporting Theresa May’s Brexit deal.
Theresa May is in grave danger of losing her job because she is seen by her own party members and MPs as having failed to deliver Brexit.
In these circumstances, there is no way she is going to willingly back a Peoples’ Vote. She has been very clear on this.
There is also no way Parliament will just vote for a second referendum – as the Peoples Vote campaign knows.
Labour and the various Remainer parties just don’t have the numbers to win that vote in parliament. Any Tory Remainer rebels will be cancelled out by Labour rebels.
So Labour needs to offer something to those Tory MPs who are not minded to vote for a second referendum.
To win Theresa May and her loyalists over, Labour should offer the chance to get May’s Brexit deal passed.
That is why second referendum supporters are calling for the Kyle-Wilson amendment to be tabled again in parliament. This would get May’s Brexit deal passed and put to a public vote.
May’s Brexit deal can’t pass unless it’s linked to a public vote. A public vote can’t happen unless it’s linked to May’s Brexit deal.
They aren’t two alternatives. They are the best solution to the Brexit impasse.
Joe Lo is a freelance journalist and a reporter for Left Foot Forward
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5 Responses to “Doing a deal with May is the only way Labour can get a second referendum”
Tom Sacold
We all know the results of a Faustian deal with the devil.
Let the Tories stew in their own incompetence.
We need a proper socialist Brexit.
Patrick Newman
“We need a proper socialist Brexit.” – will that be the Rees-Mogg model?
Julia Gibb
The most idiotic logic I have read in years
Patrick Newman
What is the big deal about a second referendum or ‘peoples’ vote’? If remainers want the UK to remain having a second referendum may not be a good idea – consider the Brenda of Bristol dictum “You’re joking – not another one. For god’s sake, I can’t stand another one…..!” See https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2017/apr/18/does-brenda-from-bristol-have-the-best-reaction-to-the-election-news-video for full unexpurgated version!
Dave Roberts
Another referendum would require an Act of Parliament and that’s not going to happen this side of a general election which Labour would have to win and there is no guarantee of that happening. Also there are too many Tory MPs who might lose their seats for them to back a call for a GE so the chances of it happening are unlikely to say the least.
The arch Brexiteer Corbyn would probably settle for a customs union type Adios and as long as enough Tory and Labour MPs support it it will get through Parliament and we’re out.