Yahoo Finance Corbyn faces criticism from both sides of Brexit debate as shadow ministers threaten to resign
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has faced criticism from Remain campaigners for failing to take a stronger position in favour of an EU referendum.
Corbyn delayed moving towards a stronger position in favour of an EU referendum in order to consult unions further over the next two weeks, as he allegedly faced criticism from John McDonnell and other allies at this weeks NEC meeting.
Speaking on the delay, pro-EU group Best for Britain CEO Naomi Smith said: “The country needs an opposition that opposes Brexit.
"Right now Labour is being squeezed from both sides of the electorate. Voters are leaving the party in their droves, with three and a half fold more leaving for Remain parties than Brexit-backing ones.
"Those around the Labour leader know this. But while they want to take a while with this decision, time is not something we have.”
While much of the public criticism faced by Corbyn has been from pro-EU activists, Labour MPs who oppose a referendum are becoming increasingly concerned.
A handful of shadow ministers are believed to be seriously considering resigning should Corbyn push the whips harder on the issue, Yahoo Finance can reveal.
With a view that the whips office will push harder for shadow ministers to support a referendum, a source close to one shadow minister told Yahoo Finance they expect to resign if the Withdrawal Agreement is brought back in September, as Labour will likely table an amendment in favour of a second referendum.
“It’s party policy and it’s still not good enough for them [the pro-EU activists],” said one referendum opponent. “The whips let shadow ministers get away with abstaining last time around, we don’t think they’ll let that happen again.”
While resignations are expected, they are unlikely to be immediate. Sources close to an anti-referendum shadow minister said that an announced change in policy isn’t the end of the world given how many times Labour have allowed MPs to veer away from party line previously.
About 20 MPs have been named to Yahoo Finance as likely to oppose Labour’s new policy, but those involved in organising the group of sceptics believe that the majority of those will not resign over the issue.
“For many, the damage [of the party being seen as pro-EU] has already been done, so they might as well stay. Others like Karen [Lee, John McDonnell’s PPS] have been talked into the policy change by people like Diane Abbott.”
Shadow ministers such as Jo Platt, Gloria De Piero and Liz McInnes are anticipated to resign if an unequivocal position is taken, with shadow cabinet members such as Rebecca Long-Bailey, Ian Lavery and Sue Hayman thought to be sympathetic with their position.
Labour figures expect the situation to come to a head if the Withdrawal Agreement is brought back in September.
