A BRIGHTON Labour MP applauded a fellow politician’s call for a general strike.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, clapped as Laura Smith, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, spoke at left-wing group Momentum’s The World Transformed festival in Liverpool on Tuesday.

Talking about how Labour support a general election, or new referendum, if Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plan fails, Ms Smith said: “Today we’ve heard calls for a true people’s vote. A general election.

“Comrades, we must topple this cruel and callous Tory government as soon as we can.

“And if we can’t get a general election, we should organise with our brothers and sisters in the trade unions to bring an end to this government with a general strike.”

A general strike would see workers across the country and across industries stage a mass walkout, as they did in 1926 in support of coal miners.

Mr Russell-Moyle told The Argus he does not support a general strike.

He said: “Just as Laura herself indicated while speaking, a general strike is not the strategy which Labour are or should be following, as we first will push for a general election or a people’s vote.

“But if the Government reject democracy, if it fails to follow the will of people, then all options must be on the table.

“While it not Labour policy, in a rhetorical flourish Laura suggested that includes a general strike if need be.

“She never called for it now, but I think many constituents will look at the most unpatriotic way the Tories are dismantling our great country, the way they are punishing the poorest and say, ‘Yes, we need to stand up and be heard.’

“A general strike is absolutely not our policy.

But I stand by anyone who’s determined, through democratic means, to stand up to the Tories that are killing this country.”

Peter Kyle, Labour MP for Hove and Portslade, said: “The hard Brexiteers are using the argument of civil unrest to push through the worst possible Brexit deal by saying the country will revolt if we don’t pull out of Europe at any cost.

“So I’d rather the Labour Party didn’t stoke these fears by calling for a general strike.”

Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson also dismissed Ms Smith’s demand.

He added that she “got a little bit carried away.”