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As it happenedended

Brexit news - live: Crunch Labour meeting on second referendum descends into acrimony as deputy leader Tom Watson storms out

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Benjamin Kentish
Political Correspondent
Tuesday 30 April 2019 13:30 EDT
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Shadow Minister Rebecca Long-Bailey hints new referendum is not a 'red line' for Labour

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An attempt to force Jeremy Corbyn to commit to a fresh Brexit referendum in all circumstances has failed after a marathon six-hour meeting of the Labour’s ruling executive committee on Friday.

It means the partry is only pledged to support a fresh referendum if it cannot secure “the necessary changes to the government’s deal or a general election”.

Tom Watson, the party’s deputy leader, has led calls for Labour to endorse a public vote on any Brexit deal but stormed out of the meeting after it emerged that the shadow cabinet would not be given a full copy of the draft manifesto commitment on the issue.

The Liberal Democrats, Change UK and the Green Party all described the position as a “fudge”, but some Labour politicians welcomed the fact a possible referendum would now be on the party’s European election manifesto.

Meanwhile, it emerged that Theresa May will abandon talks with Labour to strike a Brexit deal if no agreement can be reached within one week.

If Labour agrees not to block the withdrawal agreement bill, it would then be put to the Commons – but the government will “move in another direction” if no guarantee is given, The Independent was told.

See how the day unfolded below:

With very little happening in parliament, the Commons has risen early again. Debates finished at 4.21pm - more than two and a half hours earlier than scheduled...

Benjamin Kentish30 April 2019 16:25
Benjamin Kentish30 April 2019 16:29

Extinction Rebellion activists have described their meeting with Michael Gove as "very disappointing".

14-year-old Felix Ottaway O'Mahony, one of the campaigners who held talks with the environment secretary this afternoon, said:

"This meeting has been very disappointing, we've set no concrete demands, he hasn't accepted any of our demands, he's avoided our demands as a whole, he isn't going to declare a national emergency.

"However, something has to be said for the fact he has recognised there is an issue."

He added:

 "He is going to meet us again in a month's time, which is a step forward that we will now be regularly meeting with political members.

"However, the rebellion has to continue because our demands have not been met."

Benjamin Kentish30 April 2019 16:46
Benjamin Kentish30 April 2019 17:01

Speaking after a marathon six-hour meeting of Labour's ruling executive, a party source says:

"The NEC agreed the manifesto which will be fully in line with Labour's existing policy - to support Labour's alternative plan, and if we can't get the necessary changes to the government's deal, or a general election, to back the option of a public vote."

Benjamin Kentish30 April 2019 17:14

Interestingly, Labour MPs campaigning for a fresh Brexit referendum have welcomed the decision of Labour's executive committee today because they say it will be the first time that mention of a second public vote has been included in an election manifesto.  

Here's Stephen Doughty, one of the most vocal campaigners for a Final Say vote...

Benjamin Kentish30 April 2019 17:31

Here's some more reaction from pro-referendum Labour MPs to today's NEC decision...

Benjamin Kentish30 April 2019 17:48

Responding to the Labour Party NEC’s announcement of its decision not to back a second referendum in all circumstances, Change UK’s Mike Gapes MP suggested many Labour voters would be “dismayed”.

Gapes, Change UK’s foreign affairs and defence spokesperson, said: “If you’re a Labour supporter and dismayed by Labour’s latest fudge on Brexit, send Corbyn a message by lending Change UK your vote.

He added: “Labour still won’t unequivocally back a People’s Vote or Remain. Change UK’s policy on Brexit is clear and simple. A vote for Change UK in the European Elections is a vote for a People’s Vote and remaining in the EU.”

Adam Forrest30 April 2019 18:01

More reaction to the NEC decision. Bridget Phillipson, the Labour MP for Houghton & Sunderland South and a leading supporter of the People’s Vote campaign, said the party had “done the bare minimum needed … I can only hope it will be enough to secure the support of all those millions of our voters demanding the final say on Brexit”.

She explained: “The decision of the NEC today reaffirms conference policy and means Labour will have little choice except to back a new public vote on the most likely outcome of this vexed process.

“But the manifesto’s mealy-mouthed wording still maintains the fiction that there is a deal out there that can satisfy all the promises made three years ago, avoid real costs to jobs and living standards, or end the endless crisis around Brexit.

“This means Labour risks demoralising activists, depressing turnout among supporters and decreasing the share of the vote for candidates who - like the overwhelming majority of our party - are fighting for a People’s Vote on any Brexit deal.”

Adam Forrest30 April 2019 18:05

Robert Peston characterises the NEC decision as a victory for Jeremy Corbyn over his deputy Tom Watson.

Adam Forrest30 April 2019 18:10

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