Jeremy Corbyn urged to rule out a second Brexit vote for good after his big union backer calls for another EU referendum
The GMB says people deserve a final say on the deal Theresa May brings back from Brussels – but the Tories are urging the Labour leader to ‘stand up to his union paymasters’
JEREMY Corbyn has been urged to rule out a second Brexit vote once and for all as one of the country’s biggest trade unions is calling for another EU referendum.
The GMB, who have handed over hundreds of thousands of pounds to the Labour leader and his party in the past few years, say people deserve a final say on the deal Theresa May brings back from Brussels.
In a statement today they claim that promises made during the campaign in 2016 are “not the reality we are facing”.
But the Tories are urging Mr Corbyn to “stand up to his union paymasters” and remain firm in his commitment to honour the original decision of the electorate.
The GMB union said it had consulted thousands of its 620,000 members, and there was widespread support for holding another ballot once the negotiations are complete.
Its general secretary Tim Roache said: "Sitting on the sidelines watching the mess this Government is making of Brexit is infuriating, because there is so much at stake.
"GMB respects the result of the referendum, but how we leave the EU is as important as the decision to leave in the first place.
“That's why today, GMB is calling for a public vote on the final deal.
"As trade unionists, when we negotiate a pay deal with an employer, we go back to our members and ask them if they're happy with it. Whether they want to accept or reject it.
"That's what people deserve now, because the promises that were made during the referendum campaign are simply not the reality we are facing."
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But in response the Conservative Party chair Brandon Lewis said: “Re-running the referendum would take us all back to square one.
“Jeremy Corbyn should stand up to his union paymasters and rule out a second referendum once and for all.
“While Labour are only interested in frustrating the process, the Conservatives have a plan for a deal which will deliver on the result of the referendum by taking back control of our laws, borders and money.”
