Remain camp says MPs could keep Britain in the single market even if public vote to leave EU
But Vote Leave said Parliament will not be able to 'defy the will of the electorate' in the event of a Brexit
REMAIN campaigners say MPs could keep Britain in the European single market even if the public vote to leave the EU.
With the overwhelming majority of the Commons in favour of staying, it is being suggested Parliament could push for a Norway-style relationship with Brussels in the event of a Brexit.
But this would anger the pro-Leave camp, as it would mean continued financial contributions to Brussels and agreeing to keep freedom of movement.
Labour's Stephen Kinnock said: "If the British people voted to leave the EU that's one thing.
"But can we really say that they voted for the devastation and destruction of the entire exporting sector of our economy?”
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He told the : "I don't think you can necessarily say that there's a democratic mandate for that.
“Parliament may say 'Well, we feel more comfortable supporting the Norway model because at least that won't destroy the entire British economy’."
Parliament will have a key role to play in any post-Brexit arrangements - not least because of the volume of existing legislation that will have to be amended.
Members of the House of Commons are overwhelmingly pro-EU, with just over 70% of them currently campaigning for Remain on June 23.
So they could choose to reject the pro-Leave camp’s plan to negotiate a limited free trade deal with the EU, and get rid of freedom of movement rules to cut down EU immigration.
MPs have told the BBC it would be legitimate for them to to push for the UK to stay in the single market because the Leave campaign has refused to spell out what trading relationship it wants the UK to have with the EU in the future.
But a Vote Leave campaign spokesman said MPs will not be able to "defy the will of the electorate" on key issues.
They added: "If you vote Leave, Britain will negotiate a British option which will end the supremacy of EU law and take back control of our borders and our democracy and our economy."
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