Peers probably won’t win their current battle to force a new referendum. But if public opinion shifts further, this will become an unstoppable idea.
Labour’s Andrew Adonis has proposed an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill, which starts its passage through the Lords today. He is calling for a referendum on the terms of any Brexit deal, including giving the public the option to stay in the EU.
The chances of the amendment passing in the Lords aren’t great; the chances of it surviving in the Commons are virtually nil. But that doesn’t make this a futile exercise. We need politicians to make the case against Brexit. Otherwise, the public won’t hear the message about why the course Theresa May is set upon is so destructive or that it’s not too late to stop this mad escapade.
Adonis, a peer, is one of the few with the courage to put his head above the parapet and say precisely this. To win, we will eventually need a huge phalanx of MPs from across the political spectrum to follow suit.
Most pro-European politicians aren’t there yet, but they are shifting in the right direction. This is partly because the public is turning against Brexit. That gives politicians cover to come out for what they know in their heart of hearts is best for the country.
Voters see just how chaotic Brexit is under our hapless prime minister. They see the endless infighting in Tory ranks. They are starting to realise that Brexit is bad for the NHS – not good, as claimed in Boris Johnson’s infamous referendum lie.
The government’s attempt to suppress its own study forecasting that Brexit will knock the economy by up to 8% over 15 years is just the latest sign that it is determined to pull the wool over people’s eyes. But voters don’t like being hoodwinked.
As new facts emerge, the electorate is warming to the idea that they should have the final say on whatever deal Theresa May negotiates. An ICM poll for the Guardian on Saturday backed by 58% to 42% the notion that the public should have the chance to “take a final decision on whether or not to leave the EU in another referendum when the outcome of the negotiations is known”.
The most common argument for pressing on with such a foolish policy is that we have to follow the so-called will of the people. But if it becomes increasingly clear that the people want the final say, they should damn well have it. What then will the Brexiters will be able to say in response?