Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has vowed that if Labour cannot force a general election over Brexit the party could back a People’s Vote.
His comments are the clearest sign yet that the opposition could back a return to the ballot box in a bid to topple the Tory government.
Labour’s leadership has never come out strongly in favour of going back to the country over Brexit with many believing leader Jeremy Corbyn privately retains deep Eurosceptic views.
READ: TUC ready to back People’s Vote
McDonnell’s claims mark a split from Corbyn who has kept silent over whether Labour would back a second vote in any instance. Sources have told The New European that Corbyn and McDonnell’s relationship has been fractured during the summer over the anti-Semitism row which has gripped the party. There have even been suggestions the leader has not been accepting phone calls from McDonnell.
McDonnell told the Radio 4 Today programme: ‘If we can’t get a general election, we are keeping the option of a People’s Vote on the table and keeping all options on the table.
‘I think the way in which things are going, I think the way in which the Conservative Party are ripping themselves apart, there isn’t a deal that I can see being brought back that will achieve the support of the Conservative Party or parliament.
‘In that instance, I’d rather this government shifts to one side and let’s us negotiate.’
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