Labour Party activists in London are furious the party’s new election leaflet for the European elections only makes a small reference to a second referendum.

The leaflet, seen by HuffPost UK, asks voters to back Labour in elections on May 23 and says the party “backs the option of a public vote” to avoid a “bad deal”.

But some local party members in the capital are refusing to deliver it as the leaflet does not promote a more explicitly pro-EU position, a source told HuffPost UK.

Many want the party to promise a referendum on any deal, not just a “bad deal”, and offer the option to Remain.

Party activists in London were asked to collect the A5 leaflets yesterday and today ahead of the European campaign. 

There was an outcry from pro-EU Labour MPs after an initial draft campaign leaflet did not mention the possibility of a referendum at all.

Activists also want to know why the party has not included information on the leaflet about what the European Parliament actually does.

They argue it is a missed opportunity to point out the work MEPs do on climate change and workers rights and protections that the party claims to care about.

One disgruntled member said: “What have the European elections got to do with bobbies on the beat? In a word? Nothing.”

Another said: “We take one step forward and then ten back.”

The party leadership was accused of a “soggy fudge” on Brexit earlier this week after it avoided making firm pledge to hold a fresh referendum on any deal in its European elections manifesto.

Many in the party are deeply worried that if Labour throws its full weight behind a referendum it will alienate Leave voters it needs to win a general election.

It comes as Labour MPs and activists digest Thursday’s local election results which saw the party suffer losses. 

John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, said the message from voters was: “Brexit – sort it.”

Barry Gardiner, the shadow international trade secretary, accepted voters could be confused by Labour’s stance on Brexit.

“If a party is seen to be speaking with two voices, it’s very difficult to communicate the policy,” he told the BBC.

Pro-EU MPs claimed the results showed the party’s attempt to “fudge” its Brexit position had cost it votes.

Owen Smith, who was defeated in his bid to replace Jeremy Corbyn as the party’s leader in 2016, tweeted: “We lost votes in every direction last night – because voters don’t reward equivocation. But we lost most to Greens and Lib Dem’s – being rewarded for their clarity on Brexit.”

A senior Labour source insisted the results for the party were in line with expectations and that its vote was performing well in key target marginal constituencies.

Talks between Labour and the government on finding a Brexit deal that both parties can accept are due to conclude next week.

It has been reported Theresa May could be willing to accept a form of customs union membership with the EU in order to bring Labour on board.