Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been warned his party risks losing millions of pro-EU voters if it fails to give its clear backing to a second referendum.
Both of the UKs main parties remain split on the best way forward on Brexit.
Speaking to The Observer newspaper, Richard Corbett, the leader of Labour’s 20 MEPs said the party must confirm its support for a second referendum in its manifesto for next month’s EU elections.
He warned that failure to do so could see the party losing millions of young voters to rivals with a clearer message.
“If Labour does not re-confirm its support for a confirmatory public vote on any Brexit deal in its manifesto then it will haemorrhage votes to parties who do have a clear message,” he said.
“If, on the other hand, we do offer clarity and a confirmatory ballot, we could do very well.”
Negotiations
Talks between the Conservative and Labour parties aimed at finding a compromise way forward on Brexit are expected to continue next week.
The EU has made clear that the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement will not be re-opened; however, changes to the [political declaration on the future trading relationship are possible.
Labour has called for a new permanent customs union with the EU; however, it has yet to confirm whether it is pushing for a confirmatory vote on any Brexit deal.
The UK Prime Minister Theresa May has repeatedly ruled out remaining in a customs union – arguing that it would prevent the UK from negotiating its own international trade deals.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell described last week’s talks as “positive” and “constructive” but refused to reveal whether the Government had moved on any of its red lines.
Flextension
European leaders agreed to push the official Brexit date back to Halloween at last week’s special summit in Brussels.
The deal includes a break clause that will allow to the UK to leave earlier if the House of Commons can pass the EU Withdrawal Agreement.
Mrs May said the UK can avoid the need to hold European elections by passing the agreement before May 22nd.
The EU Council President urged the UK not to “waste” the extra time it had been given, noting that the Brexit process is now “entirely in the UKs hands.”
