The only surprise following Labour’s small single-market rebellion is that three frontbenchers waited to be sacked rather than resigning, says a Labour MP.
Mr Corbyn had instructed his MPs to abstain on the vote as the party officially backs Brexit, but Shadow ministers Ruth Cadbury, Catherine West and Andy Slaughter were among 49 MPs who voted for an amendment to the Queen's Speech brought by Labour backbencher Chuka Umunna.
The amendment had called for the UK to remain part of the single market after it leaves the EU.
MP for Bassetlaw John Mann told Julia Hartley-Brewer: "The only surprise is that these three MPs didn’t resign first rather than wait to be sacked."
Mann added that Theresa May would be “very smart” to enlist the help of Labour’s Keir Starmer as the government’s talks with the EU begin:
“I’d have him on the negotiating team if I was her. I’m surprised that she hasn’t done it. He voted the Labour line last night, he didn’t vote with Chuka Umunna,” he said.
Listen to the full interview above
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