Labour’s Owen Smith branded a ‘disgrace’ over vow to block Brexit unless Theresa May calls second Referendum
LABOUR’s Owen Smith has been branded a “disgrace” after vowing to block unless Theresa May calls a second Referendum.
The leadership candidate pledged that if he won Labour would vote against Article 50 unless the Prime Minister commits to putting the terms of a Brexit deal to the public.
He crowed: “I’m a passionate pro-European and I will fight tooth and nail to keep us in the EU.”
Invoking Article 50 formally triggers Britain’s divorce from the EU –and starts a two-year negotiation over the terms of an exit.
The incendiary comments were designed to pile pressure on Jeremy Corbyn in battle for the Labour leadership – given fury among Labour ranks at his low profile in the Referendum campaign.
But they infuriated MPs across Westminster including Labour MPs who backed the Out campaign.
Furious UKIP chief Nigel Farage blasted: “Owen Smith believes in the European project more than British democracy.
“It is a completely disgraceful comment – but will be very good for UKIP.”
Gisela Stuart, the widely respected Labour Brexit champion, told the Sun she completely disagreed with Mr Smith’s approach.
She said: “Labour has a proud tradition of accepting the outcomes of Referendums.
“Neither Leave nor Remain raised the issue of a second Referendum during the campaign and voters have a right to expect that we will all fight for the best deal possible, whilst giving effect to the decision to Leave.”
She added: “Labour should focus on getting the best deal for the British people – that’s what I will do in Parliament.”
One pro-EU Labour veteran said Owen Smith had made a “big blunder” by choosing to play to the gallery in the leadership race – without thinking about how the comments would be viewed by the British public.
More than 17 million voters backed a Brexit on June 23rd, including scores of Brits in Labour heartlands in the north of England.
Wales voted out by nearly 52 per cent to 48 per cent. Voters in Rhondda Cynon Taf, which covered Owen Smith’s Pontypridd constituency, backed Leave 53.7 per cent to 46.3 per cent.
But the Welshman last night said: “The British people were lied to by the Leave campaign.
“They deserve to have a say on whatever exit deal the Tories strike with the EU.
“Under my leadership, Labour won’t give the Tories a blank cheque. We will vote in Parliament to block any attempt to invoke Article 50 until Theresa May commits to a second Referendum or a General Election on whatever EU exit deal emerges.”
Tory Party chairman and Remain campaigner Patrick McLoughlin said it was clear Labour didn’t “trust the public”.
He said: “The result of the Referendum was clear and decisive and we in the Conservative Party will deliver on the people’s verdict.
“Labour didn’t want a Referendum and now they want to ignore the outcome.
“If Labour cannot trust the public then no one should put their trust in Labour.”
He added: “Whether it’s Jeremy Corbyn or Owen Smith, Labour are too divided and out of touch to make a success of Brexit.”