Tom Watson in focus: 'Labour can unite for General Election bid' - EXCLUSIVE

Labour's deputy leader insisted his party was capable of maintaining its supremacy in Black Country wards targeted by the Conservatives in the June 8 poll.

He said Labour was 'in the right place' over its Brexit policy, but refused to rule out the party campaigning for a second referendum.

His comments came as speculation mounted that Labour could promise a public vote on the EU deal in a bid to hold onto disenchanted Remain voters.

But just hours later a spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn poured cold water on the issue by confirming that a second referendum would not be included in the manifesto.

Mr Watson was in the Black Country at the launch of Dudley North MP Ian Austin's election campaign.

Speaking exclusively to the Express & Star at Dudley College, the West Bromwich East MP, said: "We have said that we want Parliament to have a say on what the deal is, and I don't think that is unreasonable given that it is the most important decision facing the country in my lifetime.

"But we also said we respect the decision to trigger Article 50, and we took a lot of flack for that. I think we did the right thing by respecting the decision of the people...that's what you do in a democracy."

When asked whether he was in favour of putting the final Brexit deal to a referendum, Mr Watson said: "I think we need to see what the deal is and I think you have to wait for our manifesto for me to confirm that either way. My view is the people have spoken, we have triggered Article 50, we will come out of the EU, but we have to fight for the best deal we can."

Yesterday morning Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell had also suggested that calling a second referendum was a possibility.

But a spokesman for Mr Corbyn announced later: "A second referendum is not our policy and it won't be in our manifesto."

The party has been rife with division over the past two years, with Mr Corbyn comfortably winning two leadership elections despite widespread opposition from the bulk of his own MPs.

But Mr Watson said Labour would defy its low ratings in the polls and unite in opposition to the Tory Government.

Theresa May had 'misled' people with her intentions by calling the election, he said resulting in Brexit negotiations being put 'on hold' for the next two months.

"I don't think that's for the good of the country," he said, before adding that the Tories had deceived the country on National Insurance.

They said in their last manifesto they would not tax small businesses.

They are not going to say it in this one.

"Labour is going to focus on Theresa May's record and on the Tory plan for Britain.

"It's not going to help the Black Country. It's not going to help businesses or families and we are united in getting that message across."

Wolverhampton South West MP Rob Marris, Gisela Stuart and Fiona Mactaggart have all said they will not defend their seats at the June 8 poll.

• MORE: Read our interview with Rob Marris as he reveals why he is saying goodbye to Parliament

Mr Watson said he was 'very disappointed to lose Mr Marris, who he described as 'a great MP for Wolverhampton'. "You always lose MPs at elections," he said.

"They have only had 48 hours to make their decision. I'm not surprised they are going. We have to make sure we get bright, young talented people to replace them."

The Conservatives have targeted several Black Country constituencies in the election, with Wolverhampton South West, Walsall North and Dudley North said to be particular points of focus.

But Mr Watson said he believed Labour could hold onto all three seats.

Ian Austin has vowed to put the people of Dudley first as he launched his General Election campaign in the town centre.

The Labour MP for Dudley North said he planned to fight the upcoming election 'on purely local issues' and pledged to continue to fight for people in the borough who are 'struggling to get by'.

Mr Austin has been a vocal critic of Jeremy Corbyn, and heckled him in the Commons last year over the Labour leader's opposition to the Iraq war.

He said that issues that matter to the people of Dudley would be a the top of his campaign agenda.

"I will be fighting the Dudley North election campaign on local issues, including police funding, town centre investment and Russells Hall Hospital," he said.

"My job is to stand up for people in Dudley, who in many cases are working hard and struggling to get by."

Mr Austin, who has held the seat since 2005, also pledged to continue to represent Dudley people on Brexit in the House of Commons.

"I'm fighting for the best deal for local businesses and to protect jobs in Dudley and to attract more jobs to the Black Country," he added.

Dudley Council leader Pete Lowe has announced his intention to run as a Labour candidate in the upcoming General Election.

The Lye and Stourbridge North councillor, who has led the authority since December 2014, said talks had already taken place at a regional level over the possibility of him having a second crack at the Stourbridge seat he first contested in 2015.

And a senior Labour source told the Express & Star that Mr Lowe was in the box seat for the nomination, with the party hoping to bring back as many candidates as possible from the last General Election.

Mr Lowe came second to Tory Margot James in 2015 with 31.5 per cent of the vote.

Ms James, who has held the seat since 2010, polled 46 per cent of the vote, a majority of 14.5 per cent.

Mr Lowe said: "I am certainly hoping to represent Stourbridge in the election.

"I said after 2015 that I would be back. Although I did not expect it to happen so soon, if the people in the Labour Party want me to be their candidate then I will be. I have spoken to the relevant people and hope to find out over the next week or so."

Mr Lowe added that he believed he will have a stronger chance of winning this time around with the experience of 2015 under his belt.

"A lot depends on the campaign of course," he said. "But I plan to run a strong campaign based around issues that directly impact on the people of Stourbridge."

Under rules from Labour's National Executive Committee, applications for candidacy close at midday on Sunday. It is understood that the majority of candidates that contested the 2015 election will be contacted by regional officers asking them to seek selection in the same seats.

A panel of NEC and regional board representatives will have the final say on candidates.

Mr Lowe will have to step down as leader of Dudley Council if he wins the Stourbridge seat.

James Carver MEP, who contested Stourbridge for UKIP in 2015, is said to be unlikely to represent the party in the constituency at this year's election.