The Labour Party's deputy leader is to "strongly" urge for the party to back staying in the European Union in a speech at the Centre for European Reform this morning. The announcement is at odds with his leader Jeremy Corbyn who has refused to take an anti-Brexit stance, despite demands from some parts of his shadow cabinet. The speech from Mr Watson, which says Labour "hearts are remain", will heap more pressure on Mr Corbyn to make a statement declaring his party's strategy over Brexit. Related articles Jeremy Corbyn's Labour planning to tax parents’ gifts to children Gove faces fierce backlash for claims Farage is not the face of Brexit Mr Corbyn has refused to be drawn on the issue but the party's manifesto back in 2017 said the Brexit referendum result of 12 months previous must be respected. Key Brexiteers within the party, including chairman Ian Lavery also insist there should not be another public vote. However, Mr Watson will today insist: "Pro-European is who we are and who we have always been. Our members are Remain. Our values are Remain. Our hearts are Remain. "The only way to break the political deadlock is to bring the public back into this decision, and we must argue strongly to remain. Tom Watson will today urge for a Labour to back remain (Image: GETTY) "Our future doesn't need to be Brexit. We can change our future. We can put Britain back at the heart of Europe again. "We can be proud of leading the fight for a fairer and stronger future, together. But we can only achieve this future if Labour fights for it and champions it. It's time we do that." The call comes as polls put Labour behind the Brexit Party in the polls. A YouGov survey earlier this month 26 percent gave their backing to Nigel Farage's party while Labour picked up just 19 percent of votes. READ MORE: Brexit Live - EU refusal to negotiate Brexit is an act of self harm Tom Watson's call will cause major problems for Jeremy Corbyn (Image: GETTY) And the Lib Dems are also piling pressure on to Mr Corbyn's party with its pro-remain strategy winning over anti-Brexit Labour supporters. BBC political correspondent Nick Eardley today said the speech poses a huge problem for Mr Corbyn. He said: "The big test will be persuading Jeremy Corbyn - and so far the Labour leader has been reluctant to fully embrace the case for stopping Brexit." In the speech Mr Watson argues the EU backs Labour core principles. READ MORE: Channel 4 accused of 'bias' in Tory leadership debate as Brexiteer Raab 'sidelined' Related articles BBC's Marr stuns 'Remain candidate' Rory Stewart over no deal block Rudd WARNS Boris and Raab numbers 'easily there' to halt no deal Brexit trade: Britain is already well advanced in global talks (Image: EXPRESS) Tom Watson speaking ahead of the 2017 general election which Labour lost (Image: GETTY) The only way to break the political deadlock is to bring the public back into this decision Tom Watson He said: "Some people have begun to equate support for Europe with class identity - I don't think that's right or helpful. "The majority of Labour people are supportive of Europe and that support is not dictated by social class." Labour's potential civil war over Brexit comes as the Tories also come to blows over the EU exit in the current leadership race. Tuesday could well see Remainer Rory Stewart go head-to-head with arch Brexiteer Boris Johnson in front of the BBC cameras on Tuesday night. There are currently five candidates remaining in the leadership contest with one to drop out after a ballot of Tory MPs between 3pm and 5pm tomorrow.All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility