Labor MPs prepare to defy Kier Starmer’s call to vote for the Boris deal

Europhile Labor MPs are prepared to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s call to vote for the Brexit deal, claiming that “we do not want Brexit blood on our hands.”

Some 20, including several leading-edge judges, are expected this week to shame their leader by ignoring his order, either by abstaining or voting against the deal.

One said privately last night: “We don’t want to get blood on our hands from Brexit.”

It comes despite warnings that any shadow minister who defies a three-line whip to support the deal will be fired from the front row.

Europhile Labor MPs are ready to defy Sir Keir Starmer’s call to vote for the Brexit deal, claiming that ‘we do not want Brexit blood on our hands’

Last night Bermondsey MP Neil Coyle publicly confirmed that he would not endorse the deal, saying that Boris Johnson’s “UK rating downgrade should not have Labor fingerprints.”

There is also fear among the Labor high command that some MPs still loyal to Jeremy Corbyn will rebel as a way to punish Sir Keir for his treatment of the former Labor leader.

However, party sources predicted that Sir Keir had avoided any resignation from the shadow Cabinet itself despite reports that shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds had originally wanted Johnson to be the master of the Brexit disaster.

Within hours of the announcement of the Brexit deal on Christmas Eve, Sir Keir insisted his party would back it despite criticizing it as a ‘thin deal’ that could have been much better. “At a time of such national importance, it is not credible that Labor is on the sidelines,” he said.

Last night, Bermondsey MP Neil Coyle publicly confirmed that he would not endorse the deal, saying that Boris Johnson’s “ UK rating downgrade should not have Labor fingerprints. ”

The move means the last-minute deal is likely to be approved by the Commons this week, even if Johnson faces a revolt from Tory MPs.

However, Sir Keir’s decision is being seen as part of former Arch Remainer’s attempt to reconnect with pro-Brexit ‘Red Wall’ voters in Northern and Midlands constituencies who left the Labor Party in the last election to back Johnson’s promise to ‘get Brexit’. .

Many Northern Labor MPs are angry that it was Sir Keir himself who proposed a second referendum as the party’s Brexit spokesperson that led to their worst electoral defeat in 80 years for Labor.

One said last night: ‘This is just that Keir corrected too much because he was wrong last year. It’s hard to accept being ordered to back a Brexit deal from a man who upset so many people by not appearing to accept the 2016 referendum result. ”

Even some Tory Brexit supporters have privately mocked former lawyer Sir Keir’s endorsement of the deal on Christmas Eve “before they had seen the details.”

However, party sources predicted that Sir Keir had avoided any resignation from the shadow Cabinet itself despite reports that shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds had originally wanted Johnson to ‘own’ the Brexit disaster.

A member of the Tories’ European Investigation Group, who suspended its verdict until a full study of the deal is completed, said: “What kind of lawyer actually signs it before having properly examined it?”

Coyle told The Mail on Sunday that he would not support the Brexit deal because “it is bad for Britain, bad for business and bad for people’s rights at home and when they travel in the future.”

“ Most of Boris Johnson provides you with a great deal of cannon fodder to overcome your unprincipled mess even though it will mean years, if not decades, more disputes on such far-reaching issues as our crucial financial sector, services and even essential security matters, ” he added. .

Party sources also said a broader rebellion by leftists in the party had probably been averted after Len McCluskey, head of the Unite union, urged Labor MPs this month to back a deal and “end Brexit and get out. of the way “.