Talks to resolve the Brexit crisis ‘on the brink of collapse’

Talks to resolve the Brexit crisis were heading for the rocks last night after Labour insisted a second referendum must be part of any deal.

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer warned up to 150 Labour MPs would reject an agreement with the Government that did not include another vote. 

He said: ‘I’ve made it clear that at this stage – at this 11th hour – any deal that comes through from this Government ought to be subject to the lock of a confirmatory vote.’ 

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer (pictured centre) warned up to 150 Labour MPs would reject an agreement with the Government that did not include another vote

Sir Keir, who has taken part in five weeks of the talks, suggested Labour could call time within days if no new offer is forthcoming.

Speaking to the Guardian ahead of another meeting on Monday, Sir Keir said he doubted any agreement that was not set to be ratified by a public vote would pass through Parliament.

‘A significant number of Labour MPs, probably 120 if not 150, would not back a deal if it hasn’t got a confirmatory vote,’ he said.

‘If the point of the exercise is to get a sustainable majority, over several weeks or months of delivering on the implementation, you can’t leave a confirmatory vote out of the package.’ 

The issue of a confirmatory referendum has been an internal battleground within Labour ranks, with Sir Keir pushing for one but shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, also part of the negotiating team, less keen.

Theresa May, with her husband Philip, at church in Maidenhead on Sunday

Theresa May, with her husband Philip, at church in Maidenhead on Sunday

Cracking time: PM Theresa May carries box of eggs at her local Berkshire church on Sunday

Cracking time: PM Theresa May carries box of eggs at her local Berkshire church on Sunday

Meanwhile Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson will use a speech today to push for a second referendum

Meanwhile Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson will use a speech today to push for a second referendum

But Sir Keir highlighted how the party lost 200 lost seats in this month’s council elections, which he said were a sign Labour was losing the trust of Remain as well as Leave voters.

With less than two weeks before the European elections, the shadow Brexit secretary urged Labour Remainers tempted to vote for the Lib Dems or Change UK that only Jeremy Corbyn’s party could deliver a fresh referendum.

‘There is concern in leave areas about whether some of our voters might vote for other parties, but I think there is an increasing concern that some of the Labour Remain voters might not vote Labour,’ he said.

‘It is very important that we learn those lessons.’

Meanwhile Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson will use a speech today to push for a second referendum. 

Chancellor Philip Hammond is said to be among those who have lost faith with the plan to strike a cross-party deal he believes is a 'false premise'

Chancellor Philip Hammond is said to be among those who have lost faith with the plan to strike a cross-party deal he believes is a ‘false premise’

The Prime Minister has always made clear that a second vote is a red line she is not prepared to cross.

The talks are due to resume today, but the Prime Minister has been urged to ditch Brexit talks with Labour and move to indicative votes by Cabinet Ministers.

Chancellor Philip Hammond is said to be among those who have lost faith with the plan to strike a cross-party deal, which the Times reports he believes is a ‘false premise’.

And her husband Philip May is said to be seeking a ‘dignified exit’ for his wife, having been her ‘rock’, encouraging her to hold out against calls for her to go for many months.

Cabinet Ministers who want her to move to Plan B are understood to include DWP Secretary Amber Rudd, Justice Secretary David Gauke and Business Secretary Greg Clarke.

Vince Cable, leader of the Liberal Democrats, during a canvassing and launch event on Friday last week

Vince Cable, leader of the Liberal Democrats, during a canvassing and launch event on Friday last week

Mr Hammond’s parliamentary aide Hugh Merriman, who supports another referednum as a way of carrying out Brexit, told BBC Radio 4 Westminster Hour his party will do badly in the European Parliament elections later this month.

He told Carolyn Quinn: ‘The public will blame the Conservative Government because we were the party that brought forward the referendum. And so for those that didn’t want it and wanted Remain they’ll blame us for having tried to take us out.

‘And for those that voted to leave they’ll blame us for having not got the country out of the EU. We’re at the perfect storm so yes I think we’ll get an absolute mauling.’

Education Secretary Damian Hinds expressed support for finding a ‘stable majority’ by allowing MPs to vote on different options.

‘If we can’t do a deal with Labour we need to throw pour weight behind indicative votes,’ a Government source said, adding moves to step up no-deal planning would be resisted.

‘How can we campaign against the Brexit Party if their campaign for a no-deal Brexit is our contingency plan?

‘Nothing better sums up the ludicrousness of our situation than that.’ 

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