As decided on Wednesday 10th April, the UK will now remain a member of the EU until 31st October 2019, which means it will also take part in the European elections.
We believe it is important that Labour stands on a platform promising a public vote on any Brexit deal.
In question two of the International Policy
Commission, the Labour Party asks what steps it can take to follow and build on
the motion passed at Labour Conference. This motion clearly stated:
“If we cannot get a general election
Labour must support all options remaining on the table, including campaigning
for a public vote. If the Government is confident in negotiating a deal that
working people, our economy and communities will benefit from they should not
be afraid to put that deal to the public.”
In January, shortly after May’s deal was rejected by Parliament, Labour tabled a motion of no confidence in the government. Unfortunately, the government defeated this option. Since then, May has brought her deal back twice and it has failed both times. There have been indicative votes, and so far, no majority for any Brexit option has been found.
While this happens, pressing issues facing working people are being ignored. The NHS is being ignored. The homelessness crisis is being ignored.
We cannot continue like this. But, even if parliament were to pass May’s deal, Brexit would remain the dominant discussion for years as we try to negotiate the UK’s future relationship with the EU.
This is why any public vote should include the option to Remain. People were not told about how long Brexit would take, what form it would take, and the extent to which it would overshadow all other issues.
It has been three years since the first referendum. Not only is this more than enough time for people to have changed their mind, it is also enough time for demographics to shift: by June 2018, around 1.4 million young people were eligible to have a say in their future who didn’t get the chance in 2016.
All these people deserve a final say. We all deserve a final say. Labour members want a final say.
Please include a promise for a confirmatory public vote with an option to Remain in our European election manifesto.
