Labour will defy its pro-Brexit voters by forcing through second referendum

LABOUR will defy its Brexit-backing supporters by forcing a vote on a divisive second referendum as early as NEXT WEEK.

The Shadow Chancellor said the party could push MPs to vote on whether there should be another divisive referendum in a matter of days, after it became official party policy.

But one of his own MPs warned the party was "not listening" to its own voters by "chasing mythical unicorns".

Last night MPs threw out Labour's alternative Brexit plan, which would have forced Theresa May into seeking a customs union with the EU and giving up our right to do trade deals around the world.

But the blueprint was overwhelmingly rejected, meaning Labour are now set to officially back a second referendum to stop a "damaging Tory Brexit".

He confirmed that Labour would now betray millions of voters and push for a referendum which could see Brexit cancelled completely.

Mr McDonnell told ITV's Peston last night: "When the meaningful vote comes back, and we are told maybe that might be on March 12, there are rumours today [Wednesday] that it could be next week, we will see.

"That's the time when we will have to put the amendment up."

However, the party would still be pressing for their alternative deal and fighting for a general election too, he stressed, as the party tries to desperately appease furious MPs in Leave seats.

Labour's Lisa Nandy slammed him on the same show for refusing to listen to the British people about what they wanted, and warned her it was that which lead to Brexit in the first place.

She said options were being "cooked up in Westminster" even though large numbers of her constituents want to vote for "No Deal at all".

"We are not being clear with people still. Members of the shadow cabinet had deep reservations about this," she said.

"At this stage instead of chasing mythical unicorns we need to be forcing a path through this that protects jobs."

Labour's second referendum bid is unlikely to pass as dozens of Labour politicians in areas which voted for Brexit won't back it.

And Tories will be very unlikely to get behind a Labour plan too.

Mr McDonnell said if there were a second vote, he would opt to Remain, which several figures have said has to be on the ballot paper in another vote.

The Labour party has desperately been trying to keep all sides of its warring party happy, by saying that all options are on the table for how to progress with Brexit.

But Remainers have been pressuring Jeremy Corbyn to get behind the vote in a desperate hope to try and stop us leaving on March 29.