Most Britons ‘don’t want second Brexit vote’
A SECOND referendum on Britain’s withdrawal from the EU would overturn the decision to leave, according to a new poll, though a majority of Britons don’t want another vote.
The ComRes survey for the Daily Mirror, published yesterday, found 55 per cent backing for Remain, against 45 per cent for Leave.
The results were released a day after former Ukip leader Nigel Farage said he was coming round to the idea of a second referendum, which he predicted would confirm the 52 per cent to 48 per cent victory for Leave and “kill off ” opposition to Brexit “for a generation”.
Remain campaigners welcomed Mr Farage’s comments, with former cabinet Minister Lord Adonis saying: “Bring it on.”
Labour MP Chuka Umunna told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the version of Brexit offered to voters in 2016 – including an additional £350m a week being made available for priorities like the NHS – “is not transpiring to be delivered”.
“The debate that we had was hypothetical,” said Mr Umunna. “We now know the reality. If Brexit is materially different from what people were sold, then Parliament has a right to keep an open mind.
“At the end of the day, if we do end up with another referendum, how on earth can it ‘thwart the will of the people’ if the people are the ones who have the final say on the deal?”
However, Mr Farage swiftly backtracked on the idea, telling
The Daily Telegraph: “To be clear, I do not want a second referendum, but I fear one may be forced upon the country by Parliament. That is how deep my distrust is for career politicians.”
Downing Street ruled out a fresh vote on EU membership but bookies cut the odds of a poll in 2019 to 5-1. Voters questioned for the ComRes poll showed little appetite for going back to the ballot box, with just 43 per cent saying that they want a second referendum against 51 per cent who did not.