Labour will not allow a representative of the People’s Vote campaign to take part in any televised Brexit debate involving Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, with the party instead pushing for a format that would allow the opposition leader to criticise the prime minister’s domestic policies.
May’s team has proposed holding a live primetime TV debate ahead of a crunch parliamentary vote next month on Britain’s exit from the EU, prompting a discussion over the debate format and which broadcaster would host it.
It also led to calls from parties that support a second EU referendum – including the Scottish National party, the Green party and the Liberal Democrats – to have a representative on the panel.
Corbyn’s team swiftly jumped at the offer and confirmed their willingness to take part, saying: “Jeremy would relish a head-to-head debate with Theresa May about her botched Brexit deal and the future of our country.”
Despite this, there is no certainty that Corbyn will be involved if Labour cannot agree terms with a broadcaster and No 10 in the next fortnight.
Sources aware of Labour’s plans emphasised the party would only be willing to consider a debate that pitched the two main party leaders against each other, leaving no space for an proponent of a second referendum. Labour believes this format would also allow Corbyn to get May to broaden the debate beyond Brexit and hold her to account on issues such as austerity.
Anti-Brexit groups called on broadcasters to insist on including a supporter of a second referendum.
“While…
