Enough of Brexit bunker mentality – it is time our Conservative Party backed a Final Say

We understand why colleagues are reluctant, but how can it be a betrayal of the people to hand them the chance to vote?

Politics is full of military and often masculine metaphors, so we hesitate to use such an image to convey what a small, sober group of us are trying to achieve at the moment. But essentially, today we broke cover and went over the top on behalf of our party.

Given recent history, arguing the Conservative case for remaining in Europe was never going to be easy. Questioning the wisdom of proceeding with Brexit at this late stage incurs instant wrath, but regardless, some of us have dared to do so in an attempt to show it is in fact beautifully safe on the other side.

It is time, without doubt, to be brave. We understand why colleagues are reluctant, indeed apprehensive; it’s a hostile environment out there. The lurid lexicon of betrayal and treachery and the threats of civil unrest are enough to make the bravest soul hesitate.

But how can it be a betrayal of the people to hand them the keys that will unlock the parliamentary paralysis that now cripples the most fundamental issue of our age?

The prime minister’s deal was dismissed brutally this week. For two years she has tried, earnestly but with futility, to walk the internal tightrope in our party. It could never be done: it was always a doomed mission. A preoccupation with pleasing the right on our benches has been a depressingly predictable waste of time. Searching for compromise amongst those who never had any such intention was never going to end well.

But guess what? In virtually every Conservative-held constituency across the UK a majority now support a new referendum to break the deadlock in parliament. Research by FocalData and the YouGov polling organisation suggest 55.8 per cent of voters would like the chance to have a Final Say on this. This. Is. Massive.

There are healthy majorities for this course of action in the prime minister’s backyard of Maidenhead, and clear majorities in the seats represented by the former foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, the previous Brexit secretaries, David Davies and Dominic Raab, as well as the likes of Michael Gove – still in cabinet. We don’t imagine all of those demanding a poll want to reverse the result of the last referendum, but that’s not the point. The point is, they want a say.

On both sides of the debate there is now a sense that parliament has lost its sense of direction and failed to rise to the challenge presented by the last public vote. We are deadlocked, with a government wedded to a deal that cannot be passed. Meanwhile the clock ticks loudly towards a default no-deal departure. It simply isn’t good enough – our country deserves better.

So let’s stop the clock. Let the government have one last attempt next week, but then, for goodness sakes, we need to get on with it. There really is only one way out of this bunker. Let’s invite the public to decide on the shape of their future. Her deal, no deal or Remain.

This isn’t about us wanting a Remain victory. It isn’t about fearing no deal. This is about shouldering this most momentous of decisions alongside those who will be affected by it most. The British public. We don’t want to take a leap into the dark, and this polling shows they don’t either.

We urge our colleagues to look at this data and re-evaluate. Challenge the status quo. It’s called democracy, and we’re all signed up for that – are you?

Heidi Allen, MP for South Cambridgeshire

Anna Soubry, MP for Broxtowe​

Guto Bebb, MP for Aberconwy