Brexit: Unite members shy away from backing new referendum bringing relief for Corbyn

Powerful union 'open to the possibility' of public vote but only 'depending on political circumstances'

Jeremy Corbyn has avoided a major headache over Brexit after his biggest union backer shied away from backing a fresh referendum on the final exit deal.

At the start of the day, it looked like Unite would support a public vote on Theresa May’s exit terms, which flies in the face of Labour’s official policy.

However delegates voted overwhelmingly in a favour of a weaker statement, where Unite remains ”open to the possibility” of another EU referendum “depending on political circumstances”.

Unite’s powerful general secretary, Len McCluskey, had pledged to fight for a public vote if union members supported it but the executive motion contained much more neutral language, which will disappoint pro-EU campaigners who were hoping the union could pressure Mr Corbyn into changing his stance.

The motion at Unite’s policy conference in Brighton said it was “highly unlikely” the final deal would satisfy the union or the wider Labour movement, and it would “mobilise against any deal” that fails its key tests.

“Our priority will be to force an early general election which can lead to the election of a Labour government which would, among other things, reach a better deal with the European Union and improved relations with Europe all round,” the motion read.

It adds: “We are also open to the possibility of a popular vote being held on any deal, depending on political circumstances.

“Within these principles, the executive council has authority to respond as it thinks best to a fast-changing political situation.”

Mr McCluskey said Unite was not calling for a second referendum but it remained open to the possibility of a vote on any deal the Tories come back with, in line with Labour policy.

He told the conference: “We remain open to the possibility of a vote on any deal the Tories come back with.

“Because if we can be sure of anything it is that any deal cooked up by May, Johnson, Davis and Fox will not meet Labour’s red lines or the needs of the British economy.

“And the Tory red lines certainly won’t meet Unite’s requirements.

“Our movement needs to speak with a single voice in opposition to the Tory cliff-edge Brexit in support of jobs, workers’ rights and equality for all removing the concerns that many of our members have, and in also offering hope to those who backed Brexit out of despair.”

Mr McCluskey said the prime minister had “lost all authority” and was being “held prisoner by the dogmatists and fantasists of the far right”.

The Labour leader faces a delicate balancing act on his Brexit approach, where he must meet the demands of pro-EU supporters in big cities and Leave voters in the party’s traditional heartlands.

The move by Unite will be a relief to Mr Corbyn, as the union’s financial backing is vital for Labour and Mr McCluskey is a close ally of the leader, offering powerful political support from its 1.4 million members.

Brexit divisions still remain within the parliamentary party and outside, as members of Momentum, the powerful grassroots campaign group that grew out of his leadership bid, recently launched a petition to demand a new referendum, which has already attracted thousands of signatures.

Pressure is likely to mount on Mr Corbyn ahead of Labour’s autumn conference, but for now, the Labour leader appears to be sticking to his position to support a softer exit than the Tories, that seeks to protect jobs through staying in a customs union with the EU.