Thread by @GeorgePeretzQC

I agree with a lot of what @Another_Europe says but not this.

https://twitter.com/another_europe/status/1331897470385872896

The problem with the proposed position emerges down the article, when the author accepts that if there were any chance that the implementing legislation might be defeated (eg a large Tory rebellion) Labour should abstain.

So the suggested vote against is purely symbolic, and contrary to what Labour (and the author) actually wants, which is to get the legislation passed (given what will happen if it isn’t: the lesser of two evils).

I don’t think that voting against legislation you don’t actually want to fall is a very coherent or principled position.

The principled position is in my view to abstain: that is to let the Bill pass, but to make it clear that Labour thinks the deal that it implements is the second worst option and that it will negotiate a better deal when it takes office.

The task that needs to be engaged in once this crisis is over is to start thinking about the achievable and sustainable vision of the UK’s relationship with the rest of our continent that Labour will propose in 2023/4 in place of the dysfunctional one that this govt is after.