Corbyn vs Labour Party Members
Here's a great story from Politics Home which revels the little know fact that of the eight 'policy commissions' set up by Jeremy Corbyn since the general election in 2017 - none are on Brexit.
How's that for inept leadership?
I can't say that I'm surprised given that the Labour leader called for the immediate triggering of Article 50 (the legal trigger for leaving the EU) the day after the great EU referendum in 2016.
As regular readers know, Jeremy Corbyn is completely out of step with the vast majority of Labour members who wish to remain in the EU Single Market, its Customs Union and to have a referendum on the final terms of Brexit.
https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/92708/excl-labour-mps-demand-party-members-get-say?
EXCL Labour MPs demand party members get say on Brexit in challenge to Jeremy Corbyn
By Kevin Schofield - Politics Home
Labour MPs have demanded that the party's members be given a direct say on its Brexit policy in a major challenge to Jeremy Corbyn.
Labour MPs have demanded that the party's members be given a direct say on its Brexit policy in a major challenge to Jeremy Corbyn.
Jeremy Corbyn campaigning during the EU referendum - Credit: PA Images
They have called for Labour's National Policy Forum to set up a commission to decide upon what the party's official stance on leaving the European Union should be.
The demand is set out in a letter to Andy Kerr, chair of Labour's national executive committee, which has been leaked to PoliticsHome.
They have called for Labour's National Policy Forum to set up a commission to decide upon what the party's official stance on leaving the European Union should be.
The demand is set out in a letter to Andy Kerr, chair of Labour's national executive committee, which has been leaked to PoliticsHome.
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In it, the MPs - who are believed to include former Shadow Health Secretary Heidi Alexander - say they are "deeply disappointed" that of the eight policy commissions set up by Labour since the general election, none are on Brexit.
"As a democratic institution, which prides itself on informed debate and comradely discussion, we believe it is imperative that this omission is corrected before the National Policy Forum meets in Leeds next weekend," the letter says.
"Brexit is the single biggest issue facing our country and our members deserve a say. This should be a deliberative process, such as that which has historically been enabled by our policy commissions, and should culminate in a full debate at party conference later this year. This is not a fringe issue and should not be treated as such."
The letter says Labour should commit to staying in a customs union with the EU, as well as the single market, after Brexit.
It adds: "Whilst the easiest way to stay in the single market and customs union would be to remain in the EU, we acknowledge the result of the referendum and believe that at the very least we have a responsibility to limit the damage associated with a reckless and cavalier Tory Brexit.
"We also have a responsibility to future generations to ensure that the next Labour Prime Minister can deliver an anti-austerity programme which will lead to the fairer, less divided, more equal and more sustainable country to which we all aspire.
Mr Corbyn has already suffered a handful of rebellions from around 60 MPs over Labour's official stance on Brexit.
But one Labour MP told PoliticsHome the leader could see an even bigger backlash unless he agrees to giving party members - who opinion polls suggest overwhelmingly support customs union and single market membership - a say on the issue.
The MP said: "Frustration is growing and goes beyond the ‘usual suspects’ who’ve argued for a pro-single market outcome from the start. There are a group of about 30 MPs - people like Conor McGinn and Phil Wilson - who, while staunchly pro-Europe, represent northern working class seats and have been supportive of Keir Starmer and a gradual shift to a firm position on the customs union.
"But to not even be discussing Brexit at the party’s policy making forum is making them question whether or not to join the 50 MPs who’ve been consistently voting against the whip on Europe for the last number of months."
One Labour NEC veteran added: "This is about ensuring the voice of the grassroots is heard. Socialist societies, affiliated organisations and trade unions all want Labour’s policy to be clear about staying in the customs union.
"It’s anti-democratic to keep it off the agenda at the NPF, and it makes the party look ridiculous if we aren’t even discussing the biggest issue facing the country."
A Labour spokesman told PoliticsHome: "The NPF considers policy issues through eight policy commissions; that includes Britain's exit from the EU, which is the responsibility of the International commission. The Commission and wider NPF are looking at the issue this year in meetings, evidence sessions and by considering all submissions received."
Labour and Brexit (19/01/18)
48 Labour MPs rebelled against the Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (a serial rebel himself) whose softly, softly tactics in the House of Commons are paving the way for the Conservative Government to impose a hard Brexit.
Meanwhile 87% of Labour Party members support continued membership of the EU Single Market and 78% of party members support a second referendum on the final Brexit terms.
Corbyn needs to wake up and start practising what he preaches by listening to the views of ordinary party members rather than his own kitchen cabinet.
https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/jeremy-corbyn/news/92145/jeremy-corbyn-hit-fresh-brexit?
Jeremy Corbyn hit by fresh Brexit rebellion as Labour MPs defy whip on single market
By Emilio Casalicchio - Politics Home
Jeremy Corbyn was hit by a fresh Brexit rebellion tonight as dozens of Labour MPs backed calls to keep the UK in the single market and customs union after it quits the EU.
Jeremy Corbyn was hit by a fresh Brexit rebellion tonight as dozens of Labour MPs backed calls to keep the UK in the single market and customs union after it quits the EU.
Like the Tories, Jeremy Corbyn has insisted the UK must quit the single market and customs union after Brexit - Credit: PA Images
A cross-party amendment to the Government’s flagship EU Withdrawal Bill was rejected by the Commons by 322 votes to 99.
But some 48 Labour MPs voted for it against the orders of their party leader to abstain.
EXCL Jeremy Corbyn facing rebellion as Labour MPs launch bid to keep UK in customs union
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Mr Corbyn suffered a similar rebellion in December when some 64 Labour MPs backed a separate bid to keep the UK in the customs union after Brexit.
One of tonight's rebels, former Shadow Chancellor Chris Leslie, said: "There’s a growing number of Labour colleagues who feel so strongly about the threat of Brexit austerity that they will - with regret - break the whip to defend the interests of their constituents. When it comes to the single market I hope our frontbench will get off the fence before long."
The single market amendment tonight - during the report stage of the bill - was tabled by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford and was backed by the Lib Dems and Greens.
SNP MP Peter Grant said: "Today was a huge test for Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party – and they failed miserably. Instead of voting with the SNP to prevent a devastating hard Brexit, Labour instead chose to sit on the sidelines, allowing the Tories to edge ever closer to the cliff-edge – putting the jobs, incomes, and living standards of millions of people at risk."
Like the Tories, Mr Corbyn has insisted the UK must quit the single market and customs union after Brexit, although he has said Labour wants Britain to maintain tariff-free access to the European market.
The Labour leader faces a battle within his own party on the issue - with 87% of Labour members wanting to remain in the single market according to a recent YouGov poll.
The Government won every vote tonight and a set of amendments tabled by ministers went through without a vote as the EU Withdrawal Bill faced its latest parliamentary hurdle.
Brexit Secretary David Davis said: "From the beginning our approach has been to work constructively with MPs from across the House wherever possible to improve the bill.
"This is a critical piece of legislation that aims to maximise certainty for individuals and businesses after our exit.
"We are looking forward to working with peers as the bill enters its next stage of scrutiny in the House of Lords at the end of this month."
A cross-party amendment to the Government’s flagship EU Withdrawal Bill was rejected by the Commons by 322 votes to 99.
But some 48 Labour MPs voted for it against the orders of their party leader to abstain.
EXCL Jeremy Corbyn facing rebellion as Labour MPs launch bid to keep UK in customs union
SNP chief brands Jeremy Corbyn 'utterly pathetic' over Brexit stance
Dozens of Labour councillors call on Jeremy Corbyn to pledge Brexit rethink
Mr Corbyn suffered a similar rebellion in December when some 64 Labour MPs backed a separate bid to keep the UK in the customs union after Brexit.
One of tonight's rebels, former Shadow Chancellor Chris Leslie, said: "There’s a growing number of Labour colleagues who feel so strongly about the threat of Brexit austerity that they will - with regret - break the whip to defend the interests of their constituents. When it comes to the single market I hope our frontbench will get off the fence before long."
The single market amendment tonight - during the report stage of the bill - was tabled by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford and was backed by the Lib Dems and Greens.
SNP MP Peter Grant said: "Today was a huge test for Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party – and they failed miserably. Instead of voting with the SNP to prevent a devastating hard Brexit, Labour instead chose to sit on the sidelines, allowing the Tories to edge ever closer to the cliff-edge – putting the jobs, incomes, and living standards of millions of people at risk."
Like the Tories, Mr Corbyn has insisted the UK must quit the single market and customs union after Brexit, although he has said Labour wants Britain to maintain tariff-free access to the European market.
The Labour leader faces a battle within his own party on the issue - with 87% of Labour members wanting to remain in the single market according to a recent YouGov poll.
The Government won every vote tonight and a set of amendments tabled by ministers went through without a vote as the EU Withdrawal Bill faced its latest parliamentary hurdle.
Brexit Secretary David Davis said: "From the beginning our approach has been to work constructively with MPs from across the House wherever possible to improve the bill.
"This is a critical piece of legislation that aims to maximise certainty for individuals and businesses after our exit.
"We are looking forward to working with peers as the bill enters its next stage of scrutiny in the House of Lords at the end of this month."
