Momentum heaps pressure on Labour MPs to vote down Theresa May's Brexit deal
2 min read
Momentum has heaped pressure on Labour MPs to vote down the Brexit deal struck by Theresa May - teeing up a tense stand-off with anti-EU figures on the left.
The pro-Jeremy Corbyn campaign group said a defeat for the Prime Minister on her Brexit plans would be the “best opportunity” to topple the Government and usher in a socialist administration.
Labour has all-but confirmed it will whip its MPs to vote against the draft withdrawal agreement when it comes before the Commons next month.
Supporters of Mr Corbyn were left angry earlier this year when a handful of pro-Brexit Labour MPs voted with the Government on a crucial amendment that could have seen Mrs May brought down.
The Tories are meanwhile hoping to bring moderate Labour MPs on side in the hope they will support the deal in a bid to avoid a no-deal Brexit.
Momentum has launched a website called votedownthedeal.co.uk to help Labour members lobby their MPs to reject the Government plans.
It will also release a string of social media videos condemning the deal, alongside a petition and a fundraising drive.
John Taylor, a member of the Momentum National Coordinating Group, said: “Corbyn and Labour members have been clear, this Tory Brexit deal fails Labour’s six tests, will be a disaster for our country and Labour MPs must vote it down…
“Defeating the Tories is our best opportunity to rollback privatisation, increase living standards and rebuild Britain for the many. We can vote down the deal, push for a general election and elect a socialist Labour government.
“Whether leave or remain, Labour members are united in their opposition to May’s Brexit deal, and I hope Labour MPs support a general election over four more years of Tory rule.”
Three of the Labour MPs who backed the Government in July - Kate Hoey, Frank Field and Graham Stringer - faced votes of no confidence by their constituency parties in the wake of the move.
Mr Field has since resigned the party whip to sit as an independent MP.
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