Adrian Bailey: Why I backed 'soft' Brexit vote

The West Bromwich West MP was one of 49 Labour rebels who backed Chuka Umunna's failed Queen's Speech amendment to stay in the single market and the customs union.

He was the only MP in the Black Country to support a 'soft' version of Brexit, which would see tariff free access to EU markets for British firms and a reciprocal arrangement for businesses on the continent.

The amendment, which plunged Labour into disarray as Mr Corbyn sacked three members of his front bench, has been branded 'unnecessary' by the party's deputy leader Tom Watson.

Mr Corbyn had ordered his MPs to abstain on the vote, but Mr Bailey said: "I'd not even looked at the motion until I walked into the chamber, but when I saw it I could find absolutely no legitimate or coherent reason behind abstaining.

"I have no idea why we were being asked to abstain on something that I believe is totally consistent with Labour policy.

"Getting the best possible access to the single market is vital for the UK and most importantly from my point of view it is vital for manufacturing in the West Midlands.

"We have manufacturing supply chains in motion where goods and materials go back and forth between Britain and the EU several times. The process of introducing tariffs all the extra paperwork involved will put huge burdens on that process.

"Whatever the party's position I will make no apologies for standing up for West Midlands manufacturing."

Mr Umunna's amendment was supported by 101 MPs across different parties, although no Tories backed it.

It called for the Government not to leave the EU without a deal, to guarantee a parliamentary vote on the final outcome of negotiations, to set in place transitional arrangements, and to 'set out proposals to remain within the customs union and single market'.

West Bromwich East MP Mr Watson said the amendment, which was defeated by 322-101, had been 'unnecessary' and that he was 'very disappointed' with Mr Umunna.

“To break away like that is politically unhelpful at a time when the entire Labour Party is buzzing because we did far better in the General Election,” he said.

“I just hope we can come back together very quickly.” He added that Labour's position on pushing for a 'jobs first' Brexit 'hasn't changed'.

Following the vote Mr Corbyn sacked shadow housing ministers Andy Slaughter and Ruth Cadbury and shadow Foreign Office minister Catherine West, while a fourth frontbencher, Daniel Zeichner, stood down.