,
9 tweets,
2 min read
Read on Twitter
I am afraid I can no longer take credibly Labour voices in favour of a second referendum. Unless the forthcoming manifesto backs that position *unequivocally* (and specifies that "Remain" will be on the ballot) all the nice words in the world are just that: words. @Andrew_Adonis
This is even more true because alternatives do exist for those whose principles are out of sync with Labour. We only get one shot at stopping Brexit, and that's not going to be by backing a wishy washy fence sitting party that will betray Remainers at the last hurdle.
So for all Labour politicians who feel that Brexit is the most important issue, and that we deserve the chance to stay in the EU, lead by example. Vote with your feet. Go now, while it has maximum impact. After the local and European elections, the gesture will be pointless.
Because make no mistake, Labour's no longer your home. And when you take a deep breath, a step back, and a long hard look at the party's actual policies, you'll realise it hasn't been your home for quite some time. Only the momentum of habit has kept you there.
At the end of the day, politicians represent the views of their party (which is why there's been such a huge fuss over Change UK/TIG and the lack of by-elections). So you're not voting for an MEP, expecting him or her to operate in a vacuum, but for a representative of Labour.
And when Labour itself is pro-Brexit, the debate ends there. Mic drop, walk off stage.
It's no good trying to squint past Brexit to visualise all the good things Labour may do for people, because Brexit's an immovable obstacle in the way. And going ahead with Brexit will gut the best laid plans. None will survive Brexit.
And if Labour enables Brexit, it will have twisted the knife and gutted those plans itself. Goodbye NHS improvements. Au revoir addressing homelessness. See ya mental health help. And hello austerity. Do come in, and make yourself comfortable. You'll be here a long *long* time.
And if your response is "but Jeremy Corbyn campaigned for Remain" that was nearly 3 years ago. Brexit is still ongoing. The fight isn't over. And Labour's current stance (not its 3-year-old one) is pro-Brexit.
