Demands for second Brexit referendum

CAMPAIGNERS demanding a second referendum on Brexit say they want a public vote before March 2019.

The “people’s vote” campaign is backed by North East MPs including Catherine McKinnell, Labour MP for Newcastle North, Bridget Phillipson, Labour MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, Phil Wilson, Labour MP for Sedgefield, Paul Williams, Labour MP for Stockton South, and Anna Turley, Labour MP for Redcar.

It is calling on MPs to demand a referendum on the EU deal secured by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Options on the ballot paper would include accepting the proposed deal or sticking with “our current terms” - which in practice would mean cancelling Brexit.

The UK is currently due to leave the EU on March 29, 2019. But the campaign has published what it calls a “roadmap” setting out how another vote would be held. Key dates include: In October parliament would amend the Withdrawal and Implementation Bill (WAIB) to include a call for a people’s vote

The Bill would be introduced by Government and passed by parliament

In early 2019, the Withdrawal and Implementation Bill continues through parliament while a “National Conversation” is launched

A people’s vote is held before March 2019.

Ms McKinnell said: “Leaving the EU is probably the single biggest decision our country has taken since the Second World War.

“But exactly how we leave will have an enormous impact on the UK - and most particularly on the North East - for many decades to come. At the moment, Europe is the North East’s biggest market with over 60% of our exports currently going to the EU, and many thousands of good jobs rely on this frictionless trade. Yet, we still have no idea on what basis local firms will be able to sell their goods in the future...”