Farron’s second referendum bid clears first hurdle
Tim Farron’s fresh bid to guarantee a second EU referendum has cleared its first hurdle – and predicted “jeering and jingoism” from opponents failed to materialise. The Liberal Democrat leader was allowed to introduce draft legislation to the Commons which seeks to give voters in the UK and Gibraltar a say on the final Brexit deal secured by the UK Government.
Mr Farron said such a move would “strengthen the will of the people” and suggested Prime Minister Theresa May would appear scared if she failed to agree to another referendum. He claimed before his speech that “jeering and jingoism will no doubt be loud today in the Commons”. But the Tory backbenches were sparsely populated and silent during his speech, with his Bill introduced without
opposition.
Mr Farron told the Commons: “What I am seeking to do with this Bill is to reinforce and strengthen the will of the people – to allow the people to exercise their democratic rights and duties by giving them a choice over what we and our children will have to live with for generations to come. To either accept the deal the Government achieves or to say ‘thanks but no thanks’ and opt to remain in the EU. The gate has been opened, the direction is set, but the only way to achieve democracy and closure for both Leave and Remain voters is for there to be a vote at the end.
“And if the Prime Minister is so confident that what she is planning to do is what people voted for, then why not give them a vote on the final deal? What is she scared of? What started with democracy cannot end now with a stitch-up. The deal must not be merely rubber stamped by politicians, it must be agreed by the people.”
Mr Farron’s Terms of Withdrawal From the European Union (Referendum) Bill is unlikely to progress further due to a lack of parliamentary time and Government support. He asked for it to return to the Commons on 12 May, although the chamber is not scheduled to sit that day. A similar idea proposed by the Lib Dem MP was defeated last month by a majority of 307 as the Commons debated the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Act, which allows the Prime Minister to start formal Brexit talks.