Most Labour supporters want People's Vote on Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn is told

Mr Corbyn has been urged to back a second Brexit referendum
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Kate Proctor21 January 2019
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Jeremy Corbyn was today warned he risks jeopardising the future of the Labour Party if he fails to back a second referendum on Brexit.

Former minister and shadow chancellor, Chris Leslie, told his party leader not to “facilitate” Brexit.

He stressed he would not be “forgiven” if he breaks the public’s trust - and would also damage the Labour Party.

He told the Standard: “The vast majority of Labour members and supporters believe we have reached the stage where Mr Corbyn should be offering a People’s Vote.

“To break faith with their trust would represent probably the most serious moment for the future of the party.

“He needs to put his 1970s Euroscepticism behind him and act in the country’s best interests.”

Earlier he tweeted: “If @jeremycorbyn facilitates Brexit - and denies the public a chance to call the whole thing off - then the millions left worse off will not forgive him. @UKLabour mustn’t abandon those whose jobs & livelihoods are on the line - in every form of #Brexit.”

His warning follows David Lammy MP, who today told Mr Corbyn to “listen to members” on a second referendum.

The prominent backbencher and former minister suggested a small group within the party are now so frustrated with the leadership’s handling of Brexit they fear a split.

After being accused on Twitter of using rumours of division as a “threat” to the leadership, he replied: “I was clear I don’t support it but I’m not mincing my words because it suits the top brass. Labour need to listen to the overwhelming desire of its members. We are already losing many over this.”

Mr Corbyn is not expected to make a judgement on whether to move towards backing a second referendum until after the Government’s “Plan B” Brexit strategy is voted on in Parliament.

Labour insiders yesterday claimed the party was haemorrhaging members over Mr Corbyn’s Brexit stance.

Newspaper reports claimed the total number of paying members had slumped from 540,000 last summer to around 385,000.

The party said suggestions that up to 150,000 people had left in recent months were “just wrong” but declined to say exactly how many members Labour has.

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