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DEBATE: If Theresa May’s deal fails to pass, is another referendum the best way to break the stalemate?

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If Theresa May’s deal fails to pass, is another referendum the best way to break the stalemate?

Jo Swinson MP, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, says YES.

Brexit has become a national embarrassment. In the last few weeks, the Conservative government has lost control in parliament, and the Labour frontbench – supposedly the official opposition – is asleep at the wheel.

So many of the Leave campaign’s promises have been broken. Brexit will make us poorer; it will hurt our NHS; and it will put our country’s security at risk.

The Prime Minister’s deal is a bad deal. It pleases no one, and would leave us as rule-takers, rather than rule-makers. It pales in comparison to the benefits and influence we have currently, as members of the European Union. And it is pure fantasy to suggest that some other brilliant Brexit can be wished into existence by Tory or Labour Brexiteers.

Regardless of whether the Prime Minister’s deal is voted through today, the public must have the opportunity to choose a better future for their children and for the country. This is why we need a people’s vote, to give the public the final say on the deal with the option to remain in the EU.

Ruth Lea, economic adviser to the Arbuthnot Banking Group, says NO.

Prior to the 2016 referendum, the government was unequivocal that it would “implement what you decide”. People knew what sort of Brexit they were voting for – to suggest otherwise is mere dissembling, if not patronising.

As the Vote Leave campaign made clear, the purpose of Brexit was to “take back control” of our laws and our money. This means taking Britain out of the Single Market and the customs union, not some Brexit-in-name-only compromise as outlined in Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement.

If May’s deal fails, the government should push ahead with a clean Brexit, trading under WTO rules. This would honour the referendum result and maintain the integrity of our democracy.

What would even happen after a second referendum? If there were another Leave vote, would there be a third referendum until the establishment got the “right” result? Or, if Remain won, would there have to be a decider? It would make a mockery of our democratic system, and solve absolutely nothing.