A total of 71 Labour MPs have revealed in a letter that going back to Brussels to negotiate a new Brexit deal is “not a realistic prospect” and urged Mr Corbyn to openly back a second vote on Brexit if Theresa May survives tonight's vote of no confidence. The demand has been backed also by 13 MEPs. The exact number of Labour MPs supporting this option is not known. But the signatories of the letter claim there are many politicians ready to come out and back a second vote if the Prime Minister retains a majority of the House of Commons.
The rebel Labour MPs wrote: “This is an unprecedented and perilous moment in our history.
“The Tory Government approach has been disastrous since day one. Their plans would lead to more austerity, fewer jobs and less money for our public services.
“This is not what anyone voted for in 2016.
“We represent hugely diverse constituencies from the North to the South, from Wales to Scotland.
READ MORE: Confidence vote LIVE: Corbyn’s plan backfires as MPs pressure him to change Brexit stance
Labour MPs urged Jeremy Corbyn to back a second referendum (Image: PA)
“Many of our constituencies voted to Leave in 2016. We must listen to and respond to the reasons why people did so.
“But we now face a moment of national crisis, where the facts and the views of many people have changed - and are continuing to change.
"It is now clear renegotiation is not a realistic prospect.
“No deal would be a catastrophe which we must resolutely oppose. The Government should seek an extension to Article 50 to provide time for Parliament to find a way forward.
The Commons will vote on the no confidence motion later today, at 7pm (Image: PA)
“Labour’s conference adopted a clear policy for this situation.
“We must try and remove this Government from office as soon as possible. But the removal of the Government and pushing for a General Election may prove impossible, so we must join Trade Unions, our members and a majority of our constituents by then unequivocally backing the only logical option to help our country move forward: putting the decision back to the people for a final say, in a public vote, with the option to stay and keep the deal that we have.”
Among the MPs now backing the second referendum, which could overturn the outcome of the June 23, 2016 vote, are Liz Kendall, John Grogan, Kate
