'More than 80 MPs' plot to stage Parliamentary vote calling for second Brexit referendum
Eighty-four politicians will reportedly support Tim Farron in staging the vote
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.More than 80 MPs are said to be plotting to stage a vote calling for another referendum of the terms of Brexit, it has emerged.
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, who has already pledged to vote against the triggering of Article 50 along with a group of other MPs, said they will now stage Parliamentary vote to call for a second Brexit referendum.
Eighty-four politicians will reportedly support Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron in staging the vote, a source told The Telegraph.
Theresa May’s Government is appealing a High Court ruling that stated she must get Parliament’s approval before triggering Article 50, which formally begins the Brexit negotiations with Brussels.
On Friday Mr Farron said unless a referendum was called his party would vote against the Government on the triggering of Article 50.
He told the BBC: “Article 50 would proceed but only if there is a referendum on the terms of the deal and if the British people are not respected then, yes, that is a red line and we would vote against the government.“
The Lib Dem leader described the potential deal as a “stitch-up” that no one voted for, telling the BBC Radio 4's Today programme: “We believe what started with democracy in June must not now end up as a stitch-up deal being imposed on the British people that absolutely no one voted for.”
Mr Farron is reportedly being backed by MPs from a number of different parties including the Lib Dems, the SNP, SDLP and 20 Labour backbenchers.
Labour has pledged not to block Article 50, but a number of Jeremy Corbyn’s backbenchers, including Owen Smith and David Lammy, intend to defy him by calling for a second referendum.
Ministers have previously said Article 50 is “irreversible”, prompting the High Court to decide that by not consulting Parliament, Mrs May would be taking rights away from British citizens that were previously voted on by MPs.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments