New Labour row as Corbyn allies are allowed to defy orders to vote for a second referendum
- Sixteen Labour MPs including nine front benchers abstained over a public vote
- A further 24 voted no after being whipped to vote yes in last night’s ballot
- The referendum plan was defeated by 12 votes, meaning their votes were key
- Party chairman Ian Lavery was among the abstainers defying Jeremy Corbyn
- No action has been taken, with a spokesman citing ‘exceptional’ circumstances
Labour was mired in a new row over Brexit today as Corbyn allies were allowed to ignore orders to vote for a second referendum without being fired.
There were 16 Labour abstentions – including nine front benchers – and 24 No votes on a new public vote in last night’s Commons ballot.
A new referendum was defeated by 12 votes – meaning if Labour’s MPs followed the whip the idea would have passed.
Four different Brexit plans all failed to find a majority in the Commons tonight as the main parties broadly voted as a bloc – meaning no way to break the impasse.
Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery ignored orders to vote for a second referendum and abstained – causing fury among People’s Vote supporters.
Shadow minister Gloria de Piero was among the shadow ministers who abstained on the vote and has defended her move today.
Allies of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (pictured today) disobeyed the whip last night seemingly without punishment, with a party spokesman saying the circumstances of the votes ‘were exceptional’
Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery ignored orders to vote for a second referendum and abstained – causing fury among People’s Vote supporters
Neil Coyle told Politics Home: ‘It’s clear the party chair has a problem representing members’ views, sadly. But Ian is not a backbencher representing a local concern. He is supposed to be the voice of members up and down the country at the top table of the Labour party.
‘If you’re supposed to be chair of the Labour party but your votes align more closely with the ERG than with Labour members then it’s obviously time to go.’
Ian Murray said: ‘You either serve in the Shadow Cabinet or you break the whip. You can’t do both. It’s a choice you have to make.
‘Can you imagine saying to a football referee that you are happy to play football under FIFA rules but if he shows you a red card you won’t leave the field. It’s ridiculous and is a slap in the face to those who do comply in the Shadow Cabinet and is an act of extreme disloyalty to the leadership.’
Barry Sheerman voted for all four motions last night and said today: ‘Cooperation and compromise are needed to build a viable alternative to the Prime Minister’s disastrous deal.’
Defending his decision, Mr Lavery told the Chronicle Live: ‘We had a referendum and 17.4m people voted to leave the European Union, and I believe we’ve got to respect what they have to say.’
Ashfield MP Ms De Piero tweeted: ‘Ashfield delegates voted against a 2nd ref at Labour conf. Many Ashfield members voted to Leave the EU.
‘None of this is easy but we should recognise that Labour membership in towns like Ashfield is so much smaller so their voice can’t compete with mass memberships in big cities.’
A Labour spokesman said: ‘The circumstances of last night’s votes were exceptional.
‘But it’s clear we need to find common ground in Parliament to stop either a disastrous no deal Brexit or the Prime Minister’s botched deal.
‘Labour is well placed to lead these efforts as our MPs represent constituencies that voted both leave and remain. It is now a matter for the leader and the whips.’