Labour would only back a second referendum ‘in extremis’
The shadow chancellor cooled hopes that Jeremy Corbyn is moving towards backing another public vote, stating it was still “not the best option”.
“Let’s get a deal done – that’s the most important thing for me,” Mr McDonnell told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show.
Instead, he told the BBC’s Andrew Marr the party would continue pushing for a Brexit deal which keeps the UK in a customs union.
The party says its position, as agreed at its conference in September, is to seek a deal which includes a custom’s union, single market access and protects workers’, consumer and environmental rights.
Labour’s composite motion was always an ‘OPTION’ for a Second referendum, not a ‘POLICY.’ Read more:
If that’s not possible then they want a general election to try and take power.
But Labour insists the option of another poll remains on the table.
John McDonnell said the party was still trying to get a softer Brexit despite Theresa May ruling out keeping the UK in a customs union.
He said: “You would only go back to the people in extremis if can’t get a deal agreed through parliament.
“Or if any deal, you thought, wasn’t going to protect jobs and the economy you would have go back to the people – and I think that’s right.”
Mr McDonnell told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme:
“LET’S GET A DEAL DONE – THAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR ME,”
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