Thread by @JolyonMaugham

And now McDonnell confirms it.

Labour is ignoring Conference policy (and the Kyle/Wilson amendment) to support only a Parliamentary vote that is designed to fail on a second referendum. (theguardian.com/politics/2019/…) /1

The original Kyle/Wilson amendment said to the PM: 'if you can't get your deal through Parliament MPs will support it if you put it to the people in a public vote.'

It gave a reason to opponents of the idea to back a public vote to avoid No Deal. /2

McDonnell is saying to the PM 'if you can get your deal through you should also put it to the people.' But who are the MPs, where is the incentive, to support that? There is none - this amendment is designed to fail. /3

This cynicism - signalling to those who want a referendum that Labour supports one whilst doing everything to undermine it - also ignores Party policy.

Labour was supposed to push for it if MPs voted down a deal, if nothing was on the table, rather than if MPs supported it. /4

Labour's new stance also makes No Deal more likely because it reduces the chance of Theresa May's deal going through.

This also breaches Labour's Manifesto which says it is the "worst possible deal for Britain." /5

But Labour, clogged by perhaps the most unpopular leader in our modern political history and the institutional anti-semitism he has introduced to the once-Party of anti-racism, drifts further from power - perhaps electorally it needs the devastation No Deal will bring? /6

Perhaps Labour will change its position back? Labour does seem to have more policy positions than the karma sutra - although it's genuinely hard to find one that doesn't involve Remainers and referendum supporters getting screwed.

But where are we if it doesn't? /7

Plans for a further Referendum will be dead, Labour's Conference policy will be in tatters, it will have ignored its Manifesto, No Deal will be more likely, and it will have failed its huge majority for a public vote and Remain.

But what's worst is the sheer cynicism. /ENDS

The Telegraph (@AVMikhailova) reports Labour is whipping for something different to what McDonnell says Labour is supporting for and gives a specific, much better, amendment.

Christ they're chaotic. telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/…