Labour leadership accused of ‘stitch-up’ over Brexit stance as row erupts at party conference

Jeremy Corbyn wants a special conference after the general election to decide whether Labour should back Leave or Remain

Labour’s leadership has been accused of a “total stitch-up” over Brexit, after members of its ruling National Executive Committee were given 90 minutes to raise objections by email to a statement backing Jeremy Corbyn’s position.

Senior shadow cabinet members including Emily Thornberry and Sir Keir Starmer have spoken out in favour of shifting the party’s position to backing Remain in any referendum, while deputy leader Tom Watson is arguing for a public vote on Brexit before any election.

But Mr Corbyn tabled a statement to the NEC on Saturday saying that, while the party backed a referendum and would offer the options of a “sensible” Brexit deal or Remain to voters, a decision on how it would campaign in a second public vote would be left until after the general election.

General secretary Jennie Formby emailed NEC members around noon on Sunday, asking them to raise any objections by email before 1.30pm, or the statement will go forward to a vote at the party’s conference in Brighton later this week to enshrine it as official policy.

One Remain-supporting shadow cabinet source told The Independent: “It’s a total stitch-up process.

“People wanted a meeting of the NEC to discuss the issues, but they are doing it all by email. A lot of shadow cabinet ministers who would be raising concerns are going to be speaking at Remain rallies in Brighton during that time.”

The NEC statement says a Labour government will take up to three months to negotiate a deal based on customs union membership, a close single market relationship, protection of the Good Friday Agreement, rights for EU citizens in the UK and safeguards for workplace rights and environmental and consumer protections.

The deal would be put to a public vote wihtint six months of Mr Corbyn taking office, and a one-day special conference would be held after the election of a Labour government to decide whether the party should back Remain or Leave in the campaign.

It is expected that the NEC statement will go forward for a vote on Tuesday alongside a separate motion explicitly backing Remain.

More than 80 constituency Labour parties have put forward motions backing a pro-Remain campaign in any referendum, but the exact wording to be put to the vote will be decided in a “compositing” meeting on Sunday evening.

(AFP/Getty Images (AFP/Getty Images)

But the pro-Remain source said: “The NEC statement will get through. NEC statements always take priority.”

Speaking at a Labour Movement for Europe rally at lunchtime on Sunday, Mr Watson said: “This week we have the opportunity to unite the Labour Party around a position we believe in.

“Jeremy Corbyn has been right to try to bring the country – both Leave and Remain voters – back together. Offering everyone in the country the final say is the best way to begin bridging this divide.

“The vast majority of our members, our MPs and our voters want to remain in Europe. If we win our fight for a people’s vote I believe our members, our MPs and our party will lead the campaign to Remain. That’s not just because it is the best way of reconnecting with our voters, but also because it is the best way of standing up for our values.

“We are a Remain party. We are a European party. We are an internationalist party. That is who we are. Not perfect, not pure. But overwhelmingly committed to Britain remaining in Europe and reforming Europe.

“By backing a people’s vote, by backing Remain, I am sure we can deliver the Labour government the people of this country so badly need.”