Two-stage vote over Brexit

Sir, – As Westminster breaks for the summer,

leaving the Brexit shambles in its wake, the case for a second EU referendum has never been clearer.

The challenges created when the electorate went to the polls in 2016 can only be resolved by another such vote.

While Leavers oppose a further referendum which, they said, disrespects democracy, the Brexiteers hypocritically had argued for another vote when it looked like Remain would win the 2016 referendum.

A month before the referendum Nigel Farage said that a narrow Remain win would lead to an “unstoppable demand for a rerun” and Jacob Rees-mogg called for two referendums, the second one to be held after the renegotiations were complete.

They cannot now deny their opponents a right they previously claimed for themselves.

The fear may be the British people have changed their minds, but if so, a referendum would be a recognition of democracy, not a denial of it.

A two-stage referendum, as was held in New Zealand in 1992 on electoral reforms, could help the public choose.

The first stage would ask voters whether they still wished to leave the European Union. If they did not, no second stage would be necessary.

But if they did, a second stage would ask whether voters favoured the deal negotiated by the government, or some alternative form proposed by the Brexiteers.

The outcome would give parliament a clear indication as to how to proceed.

This issue could destroy the current Conservative Government, as it has with a number of previous Tory prime ministers.

The only prime minister to have unequivocally triumphed over Europe is Harold Wilson who, in 1975, faced with a similarly divided party, called a referendum.

The people must now be asked to resolve a dilemma which parliament cannot resolve.

Alex Orr. Flat 2, 77 Leamington Tce, Edinburgh.