Dudley MP: Remain stance could destroy Labour
Calls to turn Labour into an anti-Brexit party could wipe out its working class support in the Black Country, a Tory MP has said.
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has urged his party's leadership to argue the case for staying in the EU, insisting the Brexit decision can be overturned with a second public vote.
In a speech at the Centre for European Reform, he said the UK's history was intertwined with Europe and said his party should fight for Remain, "even though we might lose some votes".
But his stance has been slammed by Dudley South MP Mike Wood, who said: "In the 2017 general election campaign both main parties said they wanted to deliver Brexit. From Labour's perspective it was clearly a lie from the start.
"Labour's working class support in the Black Country has already collapsed to a critical level. If they are going to be an anti-Brexit party it could finish them off completely."
Mr Watson has been backed by Labour's Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden, who said he had made a "very strong and clear argument" for Britain to remain in the EU.
He said Mr Watson's speech had "focussed firmly on the country’s interests and our collective future", adding: "I welcome Tom's speech.
"He has made a strong case based on clear values and he has rightly pointed out how connected our history is with the rest of Europe.
"Very few politicians from the front benches of either of the two biggest parties have made this case in recent years."
Mr Watson's view has also been backed by Birmingham MP Jess Phillips, who said in a tweet: "Tom is right!"
However, it is likely to result in divisions among Labour's top table, with Jeremy Corbyn pledging to secure Labour's version of Brexit.
Some MPs in strong Leave voting areas are also reluctant to publicly take an anti-Brexit stance, concerned at the possible impact that taking such a position would have at the ballot box in the next general election.
