REF OFF!
Second Brexit referendum officially OFF as Labour break promise and refuse to vote for it
Even if all of the Labour MPs had vote for it tonight, it still wouldn't have passed
A SECOND Brexit referendum is officially OFF tonight as Labour broke its own promises and refused to vote for it.
In a landslide vote this evening a bid by die-hard remainers was killed off with 334 votes to 85.
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And Labour were utterly ridiculed for choosing to avoid voting altogether - despite it being their official party policy.
They were pictured sitting on their hands and refusing to vote one way or the other.
But even if all of them had voted for it tonight, it still wouldn't have passed as so many MPs opposed it.
Leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees Mogg said after the result: "The so-called 'losers' votes' has now been defeated in the House of Commons so it is off the table."
The Opposition said it wasn't the time now and they wanted to push their own plans at a later date.
Sir Keir insisted that Labour do back a second referendum, telling MPs: “It is obvious that we are supportive of the principle, it is a question of timing.”
However, 25 Remainers Labour MPs rebelled against their leader tonight to fight for a so-called People's Vote.
And 18 opted to vote AGAINST a second referendum to please their Leave-voting constituencies.
Five of them were part of Labour's shadow top team - but are unlikely to face punishment from their boss.
That included Ruth Smeeth, who quit as a Parliamentary Private Secretary to Tom Watson to vote against the deal.
It's officially Labour's party policy to back a second referendum - but the party are desperately trying to keep both sides of the Brexit debate on side.
Meanwhile, Independent Group MPs were furious that their plans for a second vote were slapped down and vowed to bring back their plans later.
Brexit spokesperson for The Independent Group, Anna Soubry MP said: "This is a betrayal of Labour Party members and voters, Labour MPs, Labour’s conference policy and, most importantly, the British public. The Labour Party leadership are determined to deliver Brexit, which would harm our country.
"But The Independent Group will not give up. We will keep up the pressure for a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal. We’ll keep holding the Government to account and providing the real opposition our country needs. The British people deserve the final say on Brexit."
And Chuka Umunna added: "The party's Eurosceptic leadership have betrayed so many Labour supporters and voted by failing for it today."
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MOST READ IN BREXIT
Meanwhile, MPs also voted to extend Article 50 and kill off our March 29 Brexit day.
The House of Commons opted by a huge majority to delay our departure date for more time to get Brexit sorted.
If Mrs May's deal is passed by the 20th then she will still seek a short delay to pass all the legislation.
But if it's not, she could seek an even longer one.
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