Tom Swarbrick Presses Labour Peer On Why Jeremy Corbyn Wasn't At People's Vote March

25 March 2019, 09:57 | Updated: 25 March 2019, 11:13

Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti told LBC that Jeremy Corbyn couldn't be at the People's Vote march on Saturday because he was campaigning in the local elections in Morecambe.

The Shadow Attorney General confirmed that Labour's policy is to push for a second referendum on Britain's membership of the EU if they can't get support for their own proposal for a Brexit deal.

But when Tom Swarbrick asked her why the Labour leader wasn't at the million-strong march, she said: "He has other places to be."

Tom questioned it and Ms Chakrabarti responded: "He was campaigning in Morecambe and other places. We have local elections coming up very soon."

Tom asked her: "You don't think a lot of your members would like to have see the leader of their party standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them in solidarity at this march?"

Tom Swarbrick spoke to Shami Chakrabarti
Tom Swarbrick spoke to Shami Chakrabarti. Picture: LBC / PA

She insisted: "I'm sure they would, but others would say why aren't you prioritising local services at a time of terrible austerity?

"What he has been doing and continues to do at this moment of national crisis is reaching out across the House of Commons, something Theresa May has singularly failed to do."

Things then got even more tense as Tom pointed out he failed to attend the first meeting and walked out of the second one because Chuka Umunna was there.

Watch the full interview at the top of the page.

More Tom Swarbrick

See more More Tom Swarbrick

Exclusive
Susan Hall has dismissed Ed Miliband's claim that she would be an 'embarrassment' to Britain as the next London mayor.

Susan Hall dismisses as 'nonsense’ after Ed Miliband said she would be an ‘embarrassment’ as London Mayor

Exclusive
UK should prepare for 'something close to war', Nato's deputy tells LBC, amid warning members have 'neglected defence'

UK should prepare for 'something close to war', Nato's Deputy General tells LBC, as he warns Russia 'cannot be trusted'

Emma Webber (left) speaking to LBC

Mother of Nottingham attack victim Barnaby Webber blasts police ‘mistruths’ after force is put in special measures

Lord Harrington said there should be a cap on the number of asylum seekers the UK takes.

Former refugees minister Lord Harrington calls for a cap on the number of asylum seekers the UK takes

Mel Stride has backed the PM

Rishi Sunak has 'absolutely not' betrayed nation over Rwanda plan, insists minister after Braverman's attack on PM

Tom and caller

'Our family is there': Mother shares heartbreaking experience of being a British Jew during Israel-Hamas conflict

The ban will be brought into effect in months

'Children should be in the classroom to learn': Gillian Keegan orders 'blanket ban' of mobile phones in schools

Exclusive
Tributes have been paid to Elianne after she was stabbed to death in Croydon

Fellow pupil of schoolgirl stabbed to death in Croydon describes heartbreaking moment students were told of her killing

Scotland's first safe drug consumption space set to be openned

'Isn't this just decriminalising heroin?': Tom Swarbrick questions Labour MSP over first safe drug consumption room

The education secretary discusses educational reforms with Tom Swarbrick

Shadow education secretary says 'Building Schools for the Future Programme' would have prevented Raac crisis

Tom Swabrick

'Is it not completely mental?': Tom Swarbrick astonished as schools shut due to crumble-risk concrete before new term

Exam results

Equation sheets given to GCSE cohort in attempt lessen reduced grade inflation blow, schools minister says

Crime commentator on Adam Provan

Internal review of rapist ex-Met officer is the equivalent of 'marking your own homework', says crime commentator

Education Secretary discuss new Eton free schools on LBC

‘Bailed out by Eton’: Education Secretary discusses new free schools with Tom Swarbrick

Lucy Letby: We have to know what went so 'catastrophically wrong' says Tom Swarbrick

Lucy Letby: We have to know what went so 'catastrophically wrong' says Tom Swarbrick

Exclusive
Lord Edward Garnier has called for a public inquiry into Andrew Malkinson's case

Top lawyer blasts Andrew Malkinson rape case as the 'worst miscarriage of justice of the 21st century'