Support for second referendum grows as anti-Brexit MPs dramatically step up calls for a ‘Right to Vote’
ANTI-BREXIT MPs have dramatically stepped up calls for a second referendum in a huge challenge to Theresa May.
Tory ‘Remainer’ Dominic Grieve formally tabled two bills calling for the Government to prepare for and carry out a new poll.
And he was expected to join forces with up to 10 former Tory Ministers including Philip Lee and Justine Greening on Thursday in a public push for a ‘Right to Vote’.
Ms Greening told The Sun: “Now the PM’s deal has been voted down by Parliament we need an updated mandate from the public.”
The bills presented in the Commons on Wednesday by Mr Grieve, the former Attorney General, may not ever be called in their own right.
But a version of them is likely to be tabled as an amendment to Theresa May’s formal ‘Brexit next steps’ announcement which has to be put before MPs on Monday.
If selected by the Speaker it would then be formally voted on by the House.
'Now the PM’s deal has been voted down by Parliament we need an updated mandate from the public'
Justine Greening, Tory Minister
Theresa May has repeatedly ruled out a second referendum.
Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael indicated he would also table an amendment calling for a People’s Vote on Monday.
It came as 75 Labour MPs publicly backed a People’s Vote yesterday morning – piling pressure on Jeremy Corbyn to support a poll.
Labour’s David Lammy warned the Labour leader he would have “splinters in places he doesn’t want” unless he came off the fence.
The SNP and Plaid Cymru said they wouldn’t support any further no confidence challenges by Mr Corbyn in a bid to force him to back a second referendum instead.
Separately, business leaders including ex-BT chair Sir Mike Rake and former Sainsbury’s chief Justin King will sign an open letter on Thursday declaring a People’s Vote is the only way out of the Brexit “fantasy”.
'I think and I fear that we are headed on a path towards delay and probably, yes, a second vote'
Ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage
But MPs privately told The Sun they believed the Brexit debate was becoming a straight choice between No Deal or a new poll.
One said: “Soft Brexiteers aren’t even talking about a customs union now, they want to go straight to a People’s Vote.”
Ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage warned he believed Britain was heading for another referendum following the collapse of the PM’s agreement in Tuesday’s historic defeat.
He told ITV: “I think and I fear that we are headed on a path towards delay and probably, yes, a second vote.”
Labour last September agreed to “consider” a People’s Vote if a bid for a General Election failed.
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But allies close to Mr Corbyn are terrified that a second poll could shatter support in traditional Labour heartlands that voted Leave.
Renowned pollster Lord Robert Hayward last night said he still believed Leave would win a second referendum.
He said: “The message ‘tell them again’ is simple, clear and full of meaning.”
The Sun Says
YOU’D have thought from social media that there was a national clamour for a second referendum. There isn’t.
Even the number of MPs backing it so far is utterly disproportionate to the noise they make. But it will grow.
And we are fascinated to know what Brexit option they would graciously allow Leavers to vote for. If any.
It couldn’t be No Deal, if Remainer MPs intend to make that “illegal”.
Nor could it be Mrs May’s deal. How could MPs overwhelmingly condemn that, then make it the sole Leave choice?
A second referendum before the first result is enacted would be a grotesque enough assault on our democracy.
Wait till you see how the “people’s vote” cult frame the question on the ballot paper.
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