Thousands of Labour members email demanding to be given a say on Brexit policy

Jeremy Corbyn waving - Image credit: Mark McLaughlin

Thousands of Labour members have emailed the party demanding to be given a say on its Brexit policy amid concerns that the party is ignoring their views.

The campaign comes as Labour's national policy forum prepares to gather in Leeds this weekend to discuss the party's approach to a range of issues.

Party bosses say leaving the European Union is covered by the commission on international affairs, involving Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer.

But according to The Guardian, a draft of the commission’s agenda shows members will be asked for views on development goals, but not on Brexit.

More than 16,000 emails have been sent to the Labour party calling for a debate on Brexit to be held at the national policy forum.

The row is politically difficult for Jeremy Corbyn, who was elected as Labour leader on a pledge to give its members more of a say in policy-making.

Former Shadow Health Secretary Heidi Alexander, of the pro-EU campaign group Open Britain, said: "Without this, it is genuinely not clear how Labour members, supporters and the public are meant to contribute to the party’s policymaking on the biggest issue we face as a country.

"Local Labour branches all over the country have been debating this issue for a year and a half, and yet when it came to party conference in September the motions they had passed and the views they expressed were effectively junked."

But speaking last week, a Labour spokesman defended the party's approach to Brexit.

He said: "The NPF considers policy issues through eight policy commissions; that includes Britain's exit from the EU, which is the responsibility of the international commission.

“The commission and wider NPF are looking at the issue this year in meetings, evidence sessions and by considering all submissions received."