Jeremy Corbyn enjoys major Brexit victory at Labour conference
Delegates reject move to force leader to ‘energetically’ back Remain
Jeremy Corbyn scored a major victory at the Labour conference yesterday when a grassroots bid to force him to “energetically” back Remain was voted down in a show of hands in Brighton.
Amid what The Guardian described as “chaotic scenes,” members endorsed Corbyn's choice to stay neutral while negotiating a new deal as the party voted against a motion that would have seen Labour backing Remain in any future referendum.
Many stood and cheered the result, with some breaking into a chorus of “Oh, Jeremy Corbyn” but there was confusion as the votes were called. The chair of the proceedings faced calls for a recount “amid claims that his supporters stitched up the result,” says The Times.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Corbyn’s draft plan for Labour’s Brexit policy suggests that if Labour took office it would remain neutral on Brexit while negotiating a new deal with Brussels within three months.
The BBC explains that the Corbyn government would then hold a referendum within six months, and the party would decide which side to back ahead of that at a special conference.
However, anti-Brexit activists at the conference had pushed for an unambiguous stance, tabling a motion calling for Labour to campaign “energetically” to Remain.
That motion was rejected while a separate one, setting out the leadership's official position and another endorsing its handling of Brexit were overwhelmingly passed.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Could this be, wonders the BBC’s Iain Watson, because for some delegates, the debate became “a demonstration of support for the leadership, close to an election, rather than a pure test of opinion on Brexit”?
Certainly, The Independent says the outcome of yesterday’s votes bolsters the position of leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was backed on the day by the majority of Labour's 12 affiliated unions, including Unite and the GMB.
Reaction on the conference floor was mixed. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said he was disappointed.
"Would I have liked us to have gone a bit further and won that vote? Of course I would - but I don't want to take away from the fact that is quite considerable movement," he said.
However, Unite union leader Len McCluskey welcomed the result, and said: "”What you've seen here is a massive show of support for Jeremy Corbyn.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The London Library and Elizabeth Winkler's female Shakespeare claims
Why Everyone's Talking About Critics say an event suggesting Shakespeare may have been a woman is 'wildly inappropriate'
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran's attack on Israel backfire?
Today's Big Question The unprecedented targeting of Israel could be a 'godsend' for Netanyahu as the limits of Tehran's military power are exposed
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Tuck in to British fusion cuisine
The Week Recommends The trend for combining classics from two food cultures can result in dishes that are doubly delicious
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Stormont power-sharing in sight: 'good news' for Northern Ireland?
Talking Point Unionists vote to end two-year boycott after agreeing legislative package to address post-Brexit trading arrangements
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
How the biggest election year in history might play out
The Explainer Votes in world's biggest democracies, as well as its most 'despotic' and 'stressed' countries, face threats of violence and suppression
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published