Labour MP decries talk of fresh Brexit referendum

A Labour MP has said she could not support a fresh referendum on Brexit.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently suggested now was not the right time for another referendum, but the UK needed to consider all options.

He said it was "possible" a future Labour election manifesto could promise a new in-out referendum on the European Union.

However, speaking to the BBC's Politics North programme, Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn insisted it would be the wrong thing to do.

Following the Brexit vote and David Cameron's resignation, it took two general elections and the premierships of Theresa May and Boris Johnson before the UK formally left the European Union at 23:00 GMT on 31 January 2020.

All parts of East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire recorded a substantial majority in favour of leaving the European Union.

Onn said: "I don't think we should have another referendum.

"We had a referendum and, at the time, I said we would still be talking about in 10 years - and here we are.

"It was so incredibly painful and so divisive and I think we are in a position of strength now when it comes to our negotiations with the EU - and we should capitalise on that."

She added those now calling for another referendum were likely the same people who wanted a second vote following the original result.

In 2019, Grimsby elected a Conservative MP for the first time since the Second World War, with Onn losing her seat to Lia Nici.

Five years later, she returned to Westminster after winning the newly created constituency of Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes with a majority of almost 5,000.

Tim Iredale, the BBC's political editor for East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, asked Onn if a pledge for a new referendum could prove politically damaging for Labour in a constituency where about 70% of voters backed Leave.

She replied: "I don't know if it would be catastrophic, but I wouldn't support it being in the manifesto, and I've been very clear about that."

Last month, Andy Burnham said it was "possible" a future Labour election manifesto could promise a new in-out referendum on the European Union.

The prime minister told the BBC a referendum "wouldn't be the right thing to do right now", but said the UK should consider closer ties with the EU because "where we are isn't good enough".

The comments came after he pledged to explore stronger relations with the bloc at a summit later this year.

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