Hugo Dixon |

There’s a theory Corbyn wants “no deal” so he can blame chaos on Tories. But if he wants to avoid abyss, he must back a People’s Vote fast.

In the series of parliamentary skirmishes between MPs and the government, today’s could turn out to be the most significant.

With MPs saying they don’t want to crash out - and expected to reject May’s deal next week, the path to a People’s Vote is opening.

There are growing calls to stop the clock to avoid “no deal”. This only makes sense if the idea is to hold a new referendum.

Hugo Dixon’s Guardian column last week suggesting the opposite provoked a storm of comments. Here he responds to the main criticisms.

As May prepares White Paper tightening up free movement, it’s easy to forget European citizens contribute £4.7bn a year to the public purse.

Far from breaking faith with voters, as May says, a People’s vote could help heal the country. It’s the democratic way out of quagmire.

Though May has survived Tory coup, her deal is dead. She’ll be a zombie prime minister unless she puts it to MPs and then the people fast.

Brextremists have opened Pandora’s Box. But people often forget that the last fairy in the box was hope. In this case, it’s a People’s Vote.

Running down the clock to force a choice between May’s deal and no deal is technically doable. But the politics of this are impossible.

He doesn’t want May’s deal or no deal. He wants a unicorn. Same goes for PM’s other rivals. Only viable option is People’s Vote.

Some say People’s Vote would tear country apart. But a boost to the public purse from staying in could be used to bring country together.