Brexit latest: Shadow chancellor John McDonnell says numbers will be 'pretty close' on deal vote as he signals strongest call yet for second referendum

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Bonnie Christian18 October 2019
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The shadow chancellor has said Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal is unlikely to pass a crunch vote at the weekend despite numbers “being pretty close”.

In an interview with Sky News, John McDonnell said he expects MPs to vote against the Prime Minister’s agreement because it is “such a poor deal.”

Mr Johnson is facing an uphill battle to get the deal, which has been signed off by EU leaders, through Parliament in an extraordinary Commons sitting on Saturday.

Mr McDonnell said: "I don't believe it will pass, I think it will be defeated but...the numbers are going to be pretty close.”

The shadow chancellor also hinted his strongest call yet for a second referendum by indicating that next week, when the Withdrawal Act is laid down, will be the time to vote on whether one would be held.

John McDonnell says he doesn't expect Labour MPs to vote for Boris Johnson's new deal despite numbers being 'pretty close'.
Sky News

"Its a matter really of having the debate on Saturday, making sure we can analyse the details of the proposal," he said.

"From what we’ve seen so far it's just an unacceptable deal, worse than Theresa May’s, we can’t vote for it.

"The government has to bring forward legislation to enact this deal and therefore the timing of any proposals or amendments is critical.

"I think there will be MPs who want to see this attached to a people’s vote, others will say others will say it's better to have a sensible deal that will go back to the people alongside the option to Remain."

Several Labour MPs have suggested they could vote with the Government, a decision that a senior party source told the Guardian could lead to having the whip removed and the National Executive Committee saying they cannot stand in the next election.

Mr McDonnell add added that it was up to Labour’s chief whip to decide on disciplinary action for “rebels” but he does not think the party’s MPs will defy the whip.

“The whipping arrangements are always left to the Chief Whip.

“But he will expect labour MPs to vote against this deal because it's such a poor deal

“I don’t think Labour MPs will want to vote for something that will have a poor deal for the country and will sell us out, will undermine our workers rights and make our constituents poorer.

“I don’t recognise the numbers that your talking about we’ve consistently voted against Theresa May’s deal and Labour MPs will, because this is a worse deal, vote against this as well.

“Whatever disciplinary action takes place, it will be determined by the chief whip .”

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