Thread - an open letter to @Keir_Starmer

Dear Keir,

I write to urge you to at least ask your party to abstain from the Brexit Trade deal vote. Many people are surprised that you said you would back it without even seeing it but I also understand ...

that you are fighting an untrustworthy PM. In such circumstances, it pays to learn from Sun Tzu, Machiavelli and the world’s best poker players, by not revealing your final strategy until you have seen #Johnson’s final position and voting intentions close to the vote.

I wrote this press statement for your elaboration, should you choose to abstain:

“On #Christmas Eve, I was minded to back Boris Johnson’s deal in the national interest. I acted in good faith, placing my trust in the PM and put my faith in the #Brexit deal as presented.

It has since become apparent that the deal is far from what he presented. As a result I cannot in all conscience support a deal that is bad for the people of Britain. At the same time, I must take account of the views of my MPs and party members.

In the words of Bonar Law ‘I am their leader, I must follow them’. I ask Labour MPs to abstain in the vote.”

You know full well that Johnson will make sure Labour get the blame for his Brexit as he has a reliable track record of deflection.

Back the deal at your peril and ultimately that of your party.

Yours sincerely

Peter Cook

@jessphillips @DavidLammy @MedwayLabour @dawspeter @CathMoss1 @RachelAshleyVox @DaphneFranks

#Labour #Brexit