Paul Blomfield Former MP for Sheffield Central
After Tuesday’s overwhelming decision to reject Theresa May’s damaging Brexit deal and Wednesday’s clear vote to reject leaving the EU without a deal, I wound up yesterday’s debate for Labour by making the case to extend Article 50 for as long as necessary to resolve the current impasse. I called for the time we need to build a new consensus, having ruled out May’s deal and no deal, considering the support for an alternative deal based on a close economic relationship – a customs union, single market alignment, and continued membership of EU agencies and partnerships.
Yesterday’s debate was about the arrangements for extending Article 50, so the People’s Vote and Best for Britain campaigners said that they did not want this to be the moment to test support for a further referendum. Nevertheless I used the opportunity to make it clear that Labour will back “a further public vote – between a credible leave option and remaining in the EU.”
You can watch my speech here or read it here.