Brexit: MPs are divided over second referendum

The chaos surrounding Theresa May’s Brexit deal has led to calls for a second referendum, with some Cabinet members now refusing to rule out another vote on the issue.

It has prompted the Prime Minister to tell MPs that such a move would “break faith with British people” and do “irreparable damage” to the integrity of politics in this country.

Politicians across the West Midlands are divided over the issue, with Labour MPs saying Mrs May’s failure to put her deal to a Commons vote meant all other options should be kept open.

However, Tory Brexiteers are among those to dismiss the calls out of hand.

They include Midland MPs Owen Paterson and Mike Wood, who today renewed calls for the Brexit referendum to be respected.

North Shropshire MP Mr Paterson, a former minister, has been a long time critic of the prospect of a second referendum. He said British voters had made it “absolutely clear that they wanted to take back control.”

Dudley South MP Mr Wood said: “We have seen in other European countries after a referendum result that they didn’t like where they have gone back to the people until they get the ‘correct’ result.

“In those instances it has completely destroyed the public’s faith in their political systems, and I would hate to see something similar happen in Britain.”

Walsall North’s Conservative MP Eddie Hughes said: “I imagine there would be huge disagreement about what question options would be on the ballot paper. I believe it would prove even more divisive than the first ballot.”

Preference

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, the West Bromwich East MP, says the chances of referendum part two had risen due to the chaos which has hit Mrs May’s attempts to get Brexit through Parliament.

The option of supporting another referendum – with Remain a possible option on the ballot paper – remains on the table if Labour can’t get its preference for a General Election. Pat McFadden, the Labour MP for Wolverhampton South East and Brexit Select Committee member, said the Prime Minister was “irresponsible” to rule out a second referendum.

“The Prime Minister is now attempting to intimidate Parliament into a choice between her bad deal and the economic disaster of leaving with no deal at all,” he said.

Wolverhampton South West MP Eleanor Smith insists her party is right to keep all options open, but she remains lukewarm towards the idea of another public vote.

“I am still unconvinced that a second referendum will be the answer, and solve the problems we have had since the decision of 2016 and the subsequently poorly negotiated deal,” she recently told constituents.

Paul Butters, a campaigner for the pro-EU Best For Britain group in the West Midlands, said: “It is clear that politicians have lost their grip on Brexit and this whole process.

“Only a people’s vote with the option to remain gives the nation a chance to get out of this gridlock ”