Jeremy Corbyn has pledged to back Remain if the next Prime Minister calls for a second Brexit referendum. However, columnist Dan Hodges claimed the Labour Party still needs to provide clarity in terms of its “own position” and what they would do “in Government”. Sky News host Kay Burley remarked: “We finally learned from Labour what their policy will be on Brexit and whether we should have a second referendum or not.

“Your thoughts on that Dan?”

The Mail on Sunday columnist hit back: “Well my main thought is I think you’re being staggeringly generous to Labour by saying we now have clarity on their position.

“I mean we know now that they will oppose via a referendum if necessary any deal that the Conservative put forward on Brexit or indeed any no deal that the Conservatives put forward on Brexit.

“But in terms of Labour’s own position and what Labour would do in Government, we’re not any further forward.

“My understanding is Labour’s position is still that they believe the referendum result needs to be respected.

“They would attempt to negotiate their own Brexit whilst they would put that Brexit to a referendum, again I think that’s their position but you can never be sure.

“And presumably would campaign for their own Brexit deal, were they to secure one.

“But what that Labour Brexit would actually look like, we’re still unfortunately none the wiser.”

After writing an open letter to Labour members, Mr Corbyn explained the Labour Party’s new position on Twitter, saying: “Whoever becomes the new Prime Minister should put their deal, or no deal, back to the people in a public vote.

“In those circumstances, Labour would campaign for Remain against either No Deal or a Tory deal that does not protect the economy and jobs.”

The announcement was welcomed by Tom Watson, the Labour Party’s deputy leader, who claimed “Remain is who we are”. He continued: “Our values are Remain, our hearts are Remain.

“Today is a step in the right direction but our members and supporters are clear that any kind of Brexit gives us less than we have now and Labour should not support it.”

On Monday, trade unions unanimously demanded Labour to back a second Brexit referendum. However, many commentators and politicians met the news with a strong response, highlighting how this new policy is not clear on what the party would do if the next Prime Minister called for a general election rather than a second referendum.

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Chuka Umunna, a former Remain-backing Labour MP who joined the Lib Dems following a stint as a Change UK MP, wrote on Twitter: “Yet another fudge, where the Labour leadership keep open the door to standing on a pro-Brexit platform in a General Election or supporting it in Government.

“The @LibDems are the only party that can get into govt which is 100% committed to stopping Brexit.”

Mr Umunna’s criticism was quickly followed by his new party’s condemnation of the latest move by the Labour Party.

Liberal Democrat spokesman Tom Brake said: “Labour are still a party of Brexit. Jeremy Corbyn can pretend all he likes that the Labour Party are finally moving towards backing the Liberal Democrat policy of a People’s Vote, but it is clear it is still his intention to negotiate a damaging Brexit deal if he gets the keys to number ten.

“Labour must start being transparent with the British people. Any Brexit deal, whoever it is negotiated by, will damage our country. It will mean job losses, problems for our NHS, and more time wasted on not tackling the biggest issues facing the UK.

“The Liberal Democrats have been unequivocal in our fight to stop Brexit and Corbyn should join us. The only real route out of this mess is a People’s Vote, with the option to stay in the EU.”

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