Are you listening, Theresa May?

The Independent's campaign for a Final Say has won the public backing of politicians in all parties. Others, who cannot go public because they are bound by the straitjacket of party policy, acknowledge that the case for a vote is growing

More than 250,000 people have signed a petition backing The Independent’s campaign for the public to have the final say on Brexit in another referendum. This is a remarkable response in just over 24 hours which, we believe, shows that our call has struck a chord.

The campaign has won the public backing of politicians in all parties. Others, who cannot go public because they are bound by the straitjacket of party policy, acknowledge that the case for a people’s vote is growing. At the same time, European Union countries have signalled that it is not too late for the UK to think again. If necessary, the EU27 would extend the two year Article 50 process, which ends on 29 March 2019, to allow a referendum to be held – although they would not grant “extra time” for more negotiations unless there was a real prospect of a breakthrough.

Nathalie Loiseau, France’s European affairs minister, said on Thursday the door is open for the UK to remain in the EU on its current terms. This was an important statement, since the European Commission had signalled that the UK would face different terms if it changed its mind, including the loss of the rebate on its contributions won by Margaret Thatcher in 1984.

The case for the people to have the final say has been strengthened by the political debate over the growing prospect that the UK will crash out in March without a deal and, crucially, without the transitional period lasting to December 2020 on which many businesses are banking.

When the cabinet, or most of it, backed Theresa May’s blueprint at its Chequers summit, ministers also agreed to step up preparations for a no-deal departure. At the time, this was seen as a sweetener for Brexiteer ministers and MPs, who have long argued that such contingency planning would strengthen the UK’s hand in the negotiations.

Now it appears that Ms May had another motive: she is using the prospect of leaving without an agreement to present the choice to MPs as between her deal (if she secures one) and the uncertainty and potential chaos of no deal. Predictably, Eurosceptics accuse Ms May of “weaponising” no-deal preparations. This is a bit rich, coming from those who have urged ministers to do precisely what they are now doing.

The implications of a cliff-edge exit are stark. Of course, the government is right to ensure that businesses, public services and consumers are aware of potential problems, and to publish the 70 technical papers it is drawing up. This is not “Project Fear 2.0”, as the Eurosceptics claim, but project reality – as are the warnings from businesses about a no-deal departure, which are likely to grow louder.

There are increasing signs that parliament would intervene to prevent such a disastrous exit. But that cannot be guaranteed. The choice implied by Ms May’s strategy might well stop short of the “meaningful vote” that parliament won last December (against the government’s wishes). This reinforces the case for whatever parliament decides – if, indeed, it is capable of reaching a decision – to be given final approval by the public.

Before taking a well-earned holiday, Ms May is trying to “sell” her Chequers plan to sceptical voters, Tory MPs and members. But she faces an uphill task. For the Brexiteers, her proposals would leave the UK too close to the EU because the government would accept European Union standards on goods. But it does not go far enough for those who want close links, since the UK would diverge on services, which account for 80 per cent of the economy. Pro-Europeans pose a good question: given that the UK would have little or no influence over EU rules for goods, and its ability to sign trade deals with countries outside the bloc would be restricted, what is the point of leaving in the first place? That is why remaining an EU member should be one option in the referendum we seek.

Are you listening, Theresa May? If you agree with us, do sign our petition here.