Could we even agree the question?

BEFORE a second referendum could take place, there would be a bitter row over how it would work.

Some in No 10 see a chance to bypass Parliament and get public support for Theresa May’s deal by pitching it in a straight fight with No Deal.

But Remainers say there must be an option to stay in the EU on the ballot paper – a scenario we have imagined above – and would use the Commons to try force it.

However a three-way question would not produce a conclusive result and would probably fall foul of electoral law. Therefore there could even be multiple rounds of voting, like a French presidential election, that would see No Deal go head-to-head with Remain in round two, if Mrs May’s deal was rejected in a first vote.

Ministers are divided over whether Brexit could be delayed or stopped without new legislation. Attorney General Geoffrey Cox told Cabinet a new Act would have to be passed, but secret Government legal advice says Mrs May could unilaterally halt our exit using Royal Prerogative.