Brexit: London Labour MPs set to defy Jeremy Corbyn over Article 50

Labour MPs in London may force Jeremy Corbyn into abandoning attempts to make his party vote for Brexit.

Up to half of the capital’s Labour members are said to be considering defying Mr Corbyn over his decision to back the Government’s plan to invoke Article 50 in March.

Today shadow frontbencher Tulip Siddiq said she would consider resigning if he continues to push for Brexit.

“Three quarters of my constituents voted to remain and I will stand up for them. If it means stepping down from the front bench then that would be unfortunate – but it’s something which I’ve considered,” said the MP for Hampstead and Kilburn.

A spokesperson for Mr Corbyn said he will ask MPs to vote in favour of triggering Article 50 but has not decided if they will be issued with a three-line whip. The matter comes to a head tonight when MPs will lobby shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer over how they should vote.

Ilford South MP Mike Gapes, Helen Hayes, the MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, and David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, are among those in London set to defy Labour’s plan to back the Tories.

Abstaining from the vote would be “a fudge”, according to backbencher Neil Coyle, but could be a way of ensuring front-benchers do not have to resign.