Labour backs vote that could trigger new Brexit referendum

Bloomberg

The UK’s main opposition party is backing a plan that could open the door to a second European Union referendum, bringing the possibility of stopping Brexit a step closer.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn proposed a series of non-binding votes in Parliament on options for how the UK can avoid a no-deal Brexit: One of those options is a new referendum. This particular amendment is unlikely to pass, but it’s still a significant step that could fuel the campaign to give voters a chance to think again.
It is the first time the Labour leader has put his name to a proposal in Parliament preparing a path for a new public vote. The amendment is likely to be put to a vote in the House of Commons on January 29.
More than two years since the first vote on Brexit, the UK has yet to negotiate an exit accord that can win the backing of Parliament. May’s deal was rejected by lawmakers last week by a historic margin and she’s now trying to revise the agreement with the EU to win over opponents at home.
At the same time, members of Parliament are trying to break the deadlock, proposing measures such as extending membership and maintaining close ties to the bloc.

More to Come
While this amendment is unlikely to pass as few if any Tories will support a motion bearing Corbyn’s name. But other amendments calling for a public vote but aimed at garnering broader support could be proposed in the coming days.
The key question is whether Corbyn, who has so far been equivocal about his support for a second referendum, will now allow or even instruct Labour members of Parliament to back them. “Our amendment will allow MPs to vote on options to end this Brexit deadlock and prevent the chaos of a No Deal,” Corbyn said. “It’s time for Labour’s alternative plan to take centre stage, while keeping all options on the table, including the option of a public vote.”

Delaying Brexit
About 10 Conservative members of Parliament are already campaigning for another plebiscite, though that’s probably not enough to outweigh the number of Labour MPs who would vote against one even if instructed to do otherwise.
Any referendum would also take months to organise, meaning that Britain’s departure from the EU would have to be delayed.
The formula of “keeping all options on the table” sticks to the compromise agreed by the Labour Party last year that has enabled Corbyn, a lifelong Euroskeptic, to hold off demands from rank-and-file members and lawmakers to support a second referendum.
“This is a huge step forward and shows the Labour leadership’s commitment to stop a disastrous no-deal exit,” said Mike Buckley, director of Labour for a People’s Vote.
“We still need clarity on Labour’s position in a public vote and whether, as members want, we would campaign robustly for our continued membership of the EU.”
On Tuesday, Labour’s business spokeswoman — and Corbyn ally — Rebecca Long-Bailey explained the party’s position to the BBC: “It’s not saying the party supports a second referendum,” she said. “Everything is on the table. We all have our individual views.”
If no agreement can be ratified before March 29, the UK will lurch out of the EU with no deal, risking dire economic consequences, including a recession, and potentially a 25 percent fall in the value of the pound, according to British authorities.