Keir Starmer reignites Labour war over second Brexit referendum
2 min read
Keir Starmer has reopened a row between senior Labour figures over the prospect of a second vote on Brexit.
The Shadow Brexit Secretary said that Labour was keeping the option of a second referendum “on the table” just days after his frontbench colleague Barry Gardiner warned that there could be "civil disobedience" if another vote went ahead.
Speaking earlier this week, the Shadow International Trade Secretary blasted suggestions that a vote should be held on the final deal, saying that the “democratic principles” of the country would be at stake and warned that any such move would give “succour to the extreme right.”
He said: “People want to achieve change through democratic means, if they feel that that is being denied to them, they then turn to more socially disruptive ways of expressing their views, and that is the danger here.
“What I am saying is that in any situation, if people feel the route to change is no longer a democratic route then you look towards social disruption, perhaps civil disobedience in a different way.”
But speaking to the Today Programme, Mr Starmer rubbished suggestions that the party was ruling out a vote on the final deal.
“We are not calling for it, but in the event that Article 50 is voted down, we think all options should be on the table… That is the Labour party position”, he said.
Adding: “I have focused on the vote in parliament, and the meaningful vote. If that vote is to reject the article 50 deal, parliament must decide what happens next.
“In those circumstances, it seems to me, all options should be on the table.”
And he took aim at Mr Gardiner’s suggestion that a further say on Brexit could lead to direct action, saying: “Well, we’ve had lots of ups and downs already on Brexit, I’m sure there are many to come, and I have not seen signs of civil disobedience. So, I think we can get through this exercise without that.”
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