Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think something has been missed in commentary that Labour policy, as passed at conference, dictates a referendum should only happen after a GE. Its this claim that forms basis of @skwawkbox's attack on @johnmcdonnellMP et al 1/
The policy dispute at conference was about what would be in our manifesto in a general election - it assumed a general election came first. The victory over @Another_Europe was whether in an *election campaign* the party would commit to backing remain in a future referendum. 2/
The key parts of the NEC-backed motion, passed at conference, are here - 3/ 
Also passed was "composite 14" which basically re-affirmed the policy passed at conference in 2018. The relevant part is this - 4/
So Labour Party policy, as decided at conference =
- We will keep all options on the table, including a public vote, to stop a hard brexit.
- If we go into an election before a public vote has taken place, we will negotiate a new deal and decide after election how to campaign. 5/
- We will keep all options on the table, including a public vote, to stop a hard brexit.
- If we go into an election before a public vote has taken place, we will negotiate a new deal and decide after election how to campaign. 5/
This matters, as @skwawkbox and their allies are claiming that by suggesting we could have a referendum on Johnson's deal @johnmcdonnellMP, @EmilyThornberry and @Keir_Starmer are breaking with policy decided at conference. 6/
If my reading is correct, policy as passed at conference is wholly neutral on the question of whether a GE or referendum should come first. Full motions here -> 7/7 brexitcentral.com/labours-brexit…
