John McDonnell has said he suspects there has not been a move in the country from backing Leave to Remain and that Labour MPs voting against the party’s orders to support a second referendum would be treated with “respect”.
The shadow chancellor said on Monday morning there “doesn’t seem to be a significant shift” in public opinion.
“The feeling I get, and I get it in my own constituency as well, is that actually there hasn’t been a significant move,” he said. “This is anecdotal, it’s really difficult to tell.”
Labour has moved close to backing a second referendum, to the delight of pro-EU campaigners.
However many Labour MPs have warned the party risks being punished at the next election in Leave-voting areas of the country if it is seen to be trying to block Brexit.
Speaking at Bloomberg’s HQ in London, McDonnell said he expected the party’s MPs to be whipped to back another poll when it came to a vote in the Commons.
“There will be the normal whipping arrangements in these votes and they will be decided by the chief whip and the leader,” he said.
“What we have done up until then is recognise, yes of course, when we come to a party position, we expect a whipped vote.
“But also respect for those people whose views as well come strongly from their constituents.”
Downing Street acknowledged this morning that negotiations with the EU were now “deadlocked”.
Westminster has been gripped with speculation Theresa May plans to water down her commitment to hold a meaningful vote on her Brexit deal.
The prime minister’s official spokesman confirmed it remains the plan to stage the Commons showdown tomorrow as promised.
Former Tory minister Nick Boles warned May she would “forfeit the confidence of the Commons” if she cancelled the vote.
Labour’s Yvette Cooper, who has been spearheading efforts to block a no-deal Brexit, said the PM would be guilty of telling a “straight up lie” if she pulled it.
In February, May gave MPs a “clear and firm commitment” that a second meaningful vote on her Brexit deal would be held on March 12.
If May’s deal is rejected as expected, MPs have been promised further votes on whether to accept a no-deal Brexit or extend Article 50 in order to delay the UK’s departure beyond the current March 29 deadline.