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		</div><p>A UK Labour whip and an aide to deputy Labour leader Tom Watson quit in order to vote against a second Brexit referendum as the party’s divisions on the issue were laid bare.</p>
<p>Stephanie Peacock resigned from the whips office, saying she wanted to “respect the result of the 2016 vote” and her constituents in Barnsley East would expect her to “honour that promise”.</p>
<p>Ruth Smeeth resigned as parliamentary private secretary to Mr Watson, saying she had a duty to “support the will of my constituents” in Leave-supporting Stoke-on-Trent North.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It is with deep regret I tonight resigned from Labour’s front bench, because I believe we should respect the result of the 2016 vote to leave the European Union: <a href="https://t.co/oPGwMp974U">pic.twitter.com/oPGwMp974U</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Stephanie Peacock (@Steph_Peacock) <a href="https://twitter.com/Steph_Peacock/status/1106294726007971840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2019</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Two other frontbenchers also rebelled to oppose a second referendum, even though Labour’s official policy is to keep the option on the table.</p>
<p>The party’s MPs had been told to abstain, but a total of 24 backed the call to delay Brexit in order to hold a second referendum, with 17 opposing it.</p>
<p>Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s office said it was a matter for the whips to decide what action, if any, they would face.</p>
<p>The amendment, pushed by The Independent Group’s Sarah Wollaston, was overwhelmingly defeated by 334 votes to 85 as the bulk of the Labour Party stayed away from the voting lobbies.</p>
<p>In her resignation letter, Ms Peacock told Mr Corbyn: <em>“I was elected on the Labour manifesto that pledged to respect the result of the 2016 EU referendum. The people of Barnsley elected me to honour that promise and that is what I did tonight.</em></p>
<p><em>“I felt in all good conscience I had to vote tonight to clearly rule out any form of second referendum.</em></p>
<p><em>“I believe the people spoke in 2016 and we need to enact their decision.”</em></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I&#39;ve resigned from Labour&#39;s front bench this evening in order to vote against a second referendum. This was a difficult decision but I have a duty to support the will of my constituents. We need to leave, and leave with a deal that works for the Potteries <a href="https://t.co/yOtP1jWsmS">https://t.co/yOtP1jWsmS</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Ruth Smeeth (@RuthSmeeth) <a href="https://twitter.com/RuthSmeeth/status/1106252012189114368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2019</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Ms Smeeth said: <em>“This was a difficult decision but I have a duty to support the will of my constituents. We need to leave, and leave with a deal that works for the Potteries.”</em></p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Labour hierarchy – Mr Corbyn, shadow chancellor John McDonnell, chief whip Nick Smith and shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer – held talks with two backbenchers who have put forward a plan to back Theresa May’s Brexit deal in exchange for a referendum.</p>
<p>A Labour Party spokesman said they had a “useful and constructive discussion” with Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson “as part of Labour’s engagement with MPs across Parliament to find a practical solution to break the Brexit deadlock”.</p>
<p>In the Commons, Mr Corbyn said: <em>“I reiterate my conviction that a deal can be agreed based on our alternative plan that can command support across the House.</em></p>
<p><em>“I also reiterate our support for a People’s Vote – not as a political point-scoring exercise but as a realistic option to break the deadlock.”</em></p>
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