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Corbyn calls on next Tory leader to hold a second referendum

JEREMY CORBYN has called on the next Tory leader to hold a second referendum before taking Britain out of the EU and said circumstances might mean Labour will campaign for Remain.

In a letter emailed to all party members today Mr Corbyn challenged the next Conservative Party leader to “put their deal to the people.”

It said Labour would respect the result of the June 2016 referendum by negotiating a new deal with Brussels if it won a general election, followed by a confirmatory public vote on that deal.

Mr Corbyn has faced intense pressure to oppose Brexit from the Blairite right wing of his party.

His email was sent out after the leadership of Labour’s “big five” affiliated trade unions — Unite, GMB, CWU, Usdaw and Unison — met on Monday afternoon to clarify a joint stance on Brexit.

Mr Corbyn’s letter said: “I want to make it clear that Labour would campaign for Remain against either no deal or a Tory deal that does not protect the economy and jobs.

“Labour set out a compromise plan to try to bring the country together based around a customs union, a strong single market relationship and protection of environmental regulations and rights at work.

“We continue to believe this is a sensible alternative that could bring the country together.”

A Labour source told the Star: “Past the media excitement, there’s not much to be said — it’s just restating our stance, with the new line about remaining against a Tory crash-out.

“The trick will still be negotiating a good deal once we’re in charge, though.”

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