Thread by @nicktolhurst

I wasn’t going to but the “Flint & co” idiocy has got to stopped.

Apparently Labour’s big mistake was “Remainers” who stopped Northern voters voting Labour.

So let’s replay what would have happened.

Labour start election without commitment to 2nd referendum...

2/

So do the Brexit party stand down in Labour held seats? No. They’ve even less incentive now. They stand to ensure “Clean Brexit”.

Of course some Labour Leavers might drift back. But what happens to Northern Labour/LibDem/Green remainers - they don’t tactically vote Labour...

3/

People who argue a pro Brexit stance would’ve saved Labour are forced to argue even without the tactical votes from other parties Labour would’ve gained enough extra Leave votes to beat the Tories.

Problem is even in most Leave seats Labour activists/voters are Remainers...

4/

Flint is thus arguing that forcing activists to fight for a policy they hate to shore up votes from a party that is Remain would gain thousands upon thousands of Leave voters - now this might just work in 75%+ Leave seats.

5/

Labour being pro Brexit relies on Leavers immediately trusting Labour on Brexit over the Tories. But this only works if it’s real. So what happens to southern seats? Forget Canterbury forget Putney half of London goes.

So the ultimate logic of Flint’s idea is that..

6/

Logic of Flint can lead to only one thing. Labour would have to out Brexit not just the Brexit but the Tories.

And southerners who hate Brexit & Corbyn? They desert en masse.

Labour this becomes a nationalist Brexit party.

/The end