Labour opens door to a second vote: Corbyn shift makes new referendum more likely

By Jack Doyle for the Daily Mail

Theresa May yesterday set out what her Brexit ‘Plan B’ will – or won’t – be. Associate Editor Jack Doyle assesses what she said… and what it means.

Irish Backstop

What she said: ‘We are exploring with members across this House the nature of any movement on the backstop that would secure the support of this House.’

Analysis: Her overtures to opposition parties followed pressure from leading soft Brexiteers in the Cabinet including Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd. 

Having found a dead end, she has now moved towards the other faction, led by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, who want her to demand concessions from the EU on the controversial backstop which commits the UK to following EU regulations if no trade deal is reached.

Mrs May still needs a solution which she can take to Brussels next week. Many of her Tory critics – including Jacob Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson – say they want a clear backstop exit date and could then vote for Mrs May’s deal. 

But one MP described yesterday as ‘Groundhog Day’ – resembling the position the country was in before Christmas when the Prime Minister pulled the vote on her deal.

Taking No Deal off the table

What she said:  ‘You cannot wish away No Deal.’

Analysis: Mrs May confronted head-on those MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn, who want ‘No Deal off the table’. 

The only way to rule out No Deal is to get a deal through, or to revoke Article 50 and stay in the EU, she said. 

She won’t allow the latter course because it fails to uphold the referendum so MPs should vote for a deal. 

Leaving open the prospect of No Deal will increase anxieties among soft Brexiteers, but it will also keep up pressure on the EU to make concessions.

Cross-party talks 

What she said: ‘It would be nice just to have some talks with Mr Corbyn on this issue.’

Analysis: A brutal slapdown of the Labour leader, who complained about ‘phoney talks on Brexit’ but refused to turn up. 

Senior ministers have met leading figures from all parties, including Labour backbenchers – despite an edict from Mr Corbyn to his MPs not to attend. 

But had Mr Corbyn turned up for talks and demanded she drop her opposition to the customs union, she would have been in a fix. 

As it is, his refusal even to turn up makes it easier for her to justify changing tack.

Second referendum   

What she said: ‘A second referendum could damage social cohesion by undermining faith in our democracy.’

Analysis: Mrs May is hinting at the risk of civil unrest if the Brexit result is not upheld. 

She is also echoing Transport Secretary Chris Grayling who warned of the rise of the far Right if Brexit was not delivered. 

Mrs May told MPs there was little hope for second referendum backers to secure the numbers they need in the House. 

Delay Article 50 

What she said: ‘Delaying Article 50 is not ruling out no deal, but simply deferring the point of decision.’

Analysis: A cross-party group of MPs led by former Tory minister Nick Boles and Labour’s Yvette Cooper want to delay Article 50 – the legal mechanism by which the UK leaves the EU – if there is no deal by February 26. 

To do so, they will need the Speaker to tear up Commons rules and could even ‘drag the Queen into the toxic politics of Brexit’. 

If this group look likely to succeed, Brexiteers such as Mr Rees-Mogg could choose to back Mrs May rather than see Brexit delayed or denied.

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