EXCL Labour MPs call on Ian Lavery to quit as party chairman after latest Brexit vote rebellion
2 min read
Ian Lavery has been urged to resign as Labour party chairman after he defied Jeremy Corbyn by again refusing to vote for a second EU referendum.
The frontbencher ignored a three-line whip to abstain on Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson's motion calling for any deal passed by the Commons to be put to the public in another vote.
It is the second time Mr Lavery, the MP for Wansbeck, has rebelled on the issue, having abstained in an identical vote last week.
Furious Labour MPs told PoliticsHome his decision to break the whip should lead to either his sacking or resignation from the party's frontbench.
Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle said: "It's clear the party chair has a problem representing members' views, sadly. But Ian is not a backbencher representing a local concern. He is supposed to be the voice of members up and down the country at the top table of the Labour party.
"If you're supposed to be chair of the Labour party but your votes align more closely with the ERG than with Labour members then it's obviously time to go."
Former frontbencher Ian Murray said: "You either serve in the Shadow Cabinet or you break the whip. You can’t do both. It’s a choice you have to make.
"Can you imagine saying to a football referee that you are happy to play football under FIFA rules but if he shows you a red card you won’t leave the field. It’s ridiculous and is a slap in the face to those who do comply in the Shadow Cabinet and is an act of extreme disloyalty to the leadership."
A Labour source said: "Ian has undermined Jeremy with his arrogance. When you join the Shadow Cabinet you have to obey the whip. It’s simple. If he had any honour he would resign."
Defending his decision to abstain in last week's vote, Mr Lavery told ChronicleLive: "We had a referendum and 17.4m people voted to leave the European Union, and I believe we’ve got to respect what they have to say."
Jon Trickett, the shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, also abstained again on the Kyle/Wilson motion.
A Labour spokesperson said: "The circumstances of last night's votes were exceptional. But it’s clear we need to find common ground in Parliament to stop either a disastrous no deal Brexit or the Prime Minister’s botched deal.
"Labour is well placed to lead these efforts as our MPs represent constituencies that voted both leave and remain. It is now a matter for the leader and the whips."
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