Tom Watson calls for second referendum to be included in any Labour-Tory Brexit agreement
A second referendum on a final Brexit deal could “solve the national crisis” in the UK, Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson said.
Watson told the BBC he was a "reluctant convert" to a confirmatory vote but said it could be a way out of the current parliamentary impasse.
Read more: Goldman Sachs cuts the probability of a no-deal Brexit
Watson’s comments came in the context of Brexit talks between the leadership of Labour and the Conservatives.
Watson said Labour was going into the talks "with an open mind," but said that if a confirmatory vote was not part of the final deal, "we would have a bit of difficulty in our parliamentary party".
"We have got a strong policy on it," he said. "People would say we don't like Theresa May's deal….That is why we are genuinely with open minds and good faith on both sides trying to see if we can work through a solution."
Read more: Pound set to rise three per cent if Brexit deal looks likely
"[But] it is pretty clear the people need to be part of that process and that is really a recognition of parliamentary failure. The argument has not been resolved in the chamber of the House of Commons."
The public, would be able to "work out for themselves if this deal will work for them and their families," he said.
"People can take a look at the deal and they can make a call on it."
Watson also said that Labour had opened nominations for European elections which may or may not go ahead on 23 May.