Local MP says second referendum should be held to decide between ‘No-deal, Tory deal or Remain’

Wrexham’s MP has echoed his party leader’s position, that a second EU referendum should be held in certain circumstances, with Mr Lucas stating he would vote for remain in any such poll.

In a letter to party members last week Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said, “Whoever becomes the new Prime Minister should have the confidence to put their deal, or No Deal, back to the people in a public vote.

“In those circumstances, 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 has a crucial, historic duty to safeguard jobs, rights and living standards. But no Brexit outcome alone can do that. We need a general election. After nine years of austerity, too many people in this country cannot find decent secure well-paid work, and have to rely on public services that have been severely cut back.”

Further to that release we asked local MP Ian Lucas for his thoughts on the matter. Mr Lucas has not always seen eye to eye with Mr Corbyn, previously asking for him to resign, with Corbyn’s attitude to the then recent referendum cited as a partial reason however supported him when Mr Corbyn was re-elected. Subsequently Mr Lucas himself was returned in Wrexham with his biggest ever vote count.

In our query we also noted that in a new referendum Labour would campaign for ‘remain’ if up against a no-deal or conservative deal, and if that position is being followed by Mr Lucas.

Mr Lucas told us, “I fully understand the need to conclude the issue of Brexit and I had thought that, by now, a suitable agreement to leave the EU in an orderly way would be in place. However, the Tory UK Government has proved it is simply incapable of achieving this, by wasting these past three years and failing to reach an agreement capable of passing through Parliament.”

“Much has changed since 2016. The debate around Brexit has evolved, we have looked at issues like the relationship with Ireland in much more detail and we now know more about activities surrounding the referendum in 2016 where electoral laws were broken.”

“I now feel that this important question should go back to the public. A second referendum should be held allowing people to decide between no-deal or any Tory deal, with remain also an option.”

“No-deal would be a disaster for jobs and the economy in Wrexham and the rest of the UK, while Theresa May’s Brexit agreement has been defeated three times in the Commons. Her career as Prime Minister is over because she has failed to deliver what she promised.”

“I have not seen any deal so far which is as good for Wrexham as the present membership of the EU. So if the only options are no-deal or a terrible Tory deal which would increase austerity in Wrexham, I would vote to remain in the EU in any future referendum.”

Currently Brexit has been delayed until October 31st, with the recent Boris Johnson v Jeremy Hunt Conservative party leadership debates indicating a ‘no deal’ Brexit is more likely as both candidates stated they wished to see the ‘backstop’ removed – something that the EU leaders have always said is off-limits for removal from the deal.

The in / out Referendum in June 2016 saw 41,544 Wrexham people voting to leave the EU and 28,822 voting to remain part of it – with a whopping 71.6% turnout.