UK to leave EU

[Ben Davis]

Brexit: Owen Smith opposes Article 50 move without vote

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Owen Smith has said he will try to stop Theresa May triggering official EU exit talks unless she offers a referendum on the final Brexit deal or agrees to call a general election to approve it.

The Labour leadership challenger said if he is elected, the party will oppose triggering Article 50 until the government commits to a second vote.

Labour will not give the Tories a "blank cheque", he is to tell backers.

Ministers said they would deliver on the "decisive" referendum verdict.

The UK voted to leave the EU by 52% to 48% in a referendum on 23 June but the manner and timing of the country's departure remains uncertain.

The prime minister has said she will not begin the formal legal process of separation by activating Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty this year, insisting that a "sensible and orderly departure" from the EU will take time.

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Well, Owen was looking for his USP. Looks like he's found it. I think that Corbyn's tacit support for Brexit stems from partly from his pevious far-left views (now moderated somewhat), partly from his support base still consisting of far-lefters (who don't want a federal Europe on political principle) and partly because a good proportion of Brexiters make up his public fan-base.