Barry Gardiner tells BBC News Labour MPs would back a People’s Vote

Barry Gardiner appears on Sky News to discuss Labour's Brexit policy. Photograph: Sky News. - Credit: Archant

A shadow cabinet minister has suggested that Labour would back a People’s Vote if a motion was tabled in the House of Commons.

https://twitter.com/BBCPolitics/status/1087341421672185857

Barry Gardiner said the party would back a second referendum if the issue was put to the Commons.

Gardiner told the BBC: ‘If there is a motion for a second referendum that is put before Parliament, our position as a party is that we would be supporting a public vote.

‘That’s part of our unanimous decision at our party conference, that nothing would be ruled off the table at that stage.’

The news comes as national newspapers reported over the weekend that up to 150,000 could have quit the Labour Party over the leadership’s Brexit position – but senior officials denied this was the case.

Sir Vince Cable, leader of the Lib Dems, previously said that Labour backing a People’s Vote could significantly change the game.

He said: ‘We do believe Jeremy Corbyn he should come off the fence. He has played an ambiguous role on Brexit.

‘He now has a key role where he could potentially change the game by coming firmly behind the idea a People’s Vote. That’s what most of his supporters and MPs want.’