This could be massive25 Sep 2018 14:25
Times new article
"Nobody is ruling out Remain, says Keir Starmer"
Britain could be given the option of remaining in the EU in a fresh referendum, Sir Keir Starmer said today.
The shadow Brexit secretary received a standing ovation when he told Labour’s party conference that a “public vote” must be an option if there wasn’t a general election before the UK leaves the EU, adding: “Nobody is ruling out Remain as an option.”
But the key line was not part of the text released by Labour, meaning it had not been cleared by Jeremy Corbyn’s closest lieutenants. It appeared to be a swipe at John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, who said earlier this week that a new referendum should be confined to a vote on the terms of Brexit.
The Times understands Sir Keir extemporised the comment.
It came as Labour said it would not rule out extending Britain’s membership of the EU if a deal cannot be agreed by March.
Speaking before the Brexit debate at Labour’s conference in Liverpool today, Sir Keir said he would back extending Article 50 if negotiations failed to conclude a deal.
He also denied that his party was split on a second referendum, saying it would be very clear today that Labour was keeping all options on the table.
“The October deadline might slip to November, November might slip to December,” Sir Keir told TalkRadio.
“I don’t think at this stage anybody is talking about extending Article 50 but if it has to be extended quite frankly it will be because of the collapsing failure of the discussions and the negotiations.”
Sir Keir was forced to defend Labour’s position on a second referendum after Mr McDonnell appeared to question whether remaining in the EU would be included on a ballot paper.
He added that if there were a second referendum he would vote to remain in the EU.
Sir Keir insisted that “there was no intention to, nor did the motion rule out, the option of Remain”.
He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “We deliberately left it open because we don’t know the circumstances we’re going to find ourselves in.” He added there was no rift between himself and the shadow chancellor.
Addressing the conference today, Sir Keir warned that Tory “division, chaos and failure” over Brexit was putting the country’s future prosperity at risk. He said that Labour would oppose any deal that failed the party’s six tests, including delivering the “exact same benefits” of single market and customs union membership.
Sign In
Follow the stocks
