Labour MPs slam Momentum move to block key Brexit vote during conference.

Labour "will be a laughing stock", said 

Labour MP Heidi Alexander (Source: Getty)

Labour MPs have turned on their own leadership, slamming the decision not to hold a vote on whether the party should push to stay in the single market after Brexit.

Momentum has used an app to whip Labour members to prevent them from debating the issue during this week's conference. It called on delegates to focus on issues including the NHS, housing and rail, saying Brexit was a "potentially time-consuming cul-de-sac, and a topic that will be covered elsewhere".

But the move has underscored the degree to which Labour is divided on Brexit, with several high profile MPs - many of whom support the Open Britain campaign - have blasted the decision.

Chris Leslie tweeted: "How utterly ridiculous. Many members will be shocked at manoeuvring to avoid biggest issue of our time."

Chuka Umunna said: "I can't believe no Brexit related motion is being debated at #Lab17 tomorrow. We should not be ducking this debate -we should be leading it."

Ben Bradshaw agreed. "Keeping #Brexit, biggest issue of our time, off our #lab17 agenda is silly and undermines the claim that we are listening to our members," he wrote.

Heidi Alexander went further, saying she was "gobsmacked" and that Labour "will be a laughing stock".

Stephen Doughty noted that the decision was hardly in the spirit of democracy. "Not entirely sure what's happened to giving members a freer voice at conference if being heavily whipped in votes," he wrote.

The Conservatives made hay of the division.

Suella Fernandes MP said: “Labour are ducking away from debating Brexit, the biggest issue facing our country, because they are too divided on the issue and have no plan.

“Only the Conservatives are getting on with delivering the best Brexit deal for everyone.”

Liberal Democrat Shadow Brexit Secretary Tom Brake said: “Corbyn’s anti-EU wing of the Labour party have won the day. Following pressure from his Momentum pressure group the party have ducked away from debating the biggest issue currently facing the country at their conference.

“Labour have again shown themselves to be neither here nor there, unable to come up with a coherent policy for fear of their own internal politics spilling out into the public.

“Labour do not stand for anyone on Europe. It is clear that the Liberal Democrats are the only party taking the fight to Theresa May and opposing her plan for an extreme Brexit.”

Culled from Cityam.

By Catherine Neilan.