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Whatever happens on Brexit in the coming weeks I am putting a stake in the ground.

I cannot support a second referendum - and let’s be honest that is exactly what a People’s Vote would be.

Nothing I have seen or heard from the campaign for a second referendum has convinced me and I would struggle to justify it to CWU members.

When I see Anna Soubry on a stage outside Parliament being cheered like a heroine, after voting for policies that have put people on the streets, I know it's not the right path.

When I see Chuka Umuna, who has made more wrong calls than a non-league referee, saying another referendum is a good idea I know for sure that it's not.

As someone who voted Remain, the major problem I have with the People's Vote campaign is how it has elevated staying in the EU over every other issue.

(Image: PA)

The reason why is because these are the same people who have no solutions to the UK's broken society.

We cannot face away from this simple truth.

Those who live and breathe a second referendum are saying to millions of people: let's fight for the status quo, the establishment knows best and we should continue on our current course.

I can think of nothing that would do more damage to our democracy and give more space to the far right than that.

Amidst the Brexit chaos, nothing has been done in the last three years to address the problems that helped to fuel the vote for Leave.

Instead, things have got worse through the disastrous rollout of Universal Credit, the continuing squeeze on public services and the growth of in-work poverty and homelessness.

So I don't believe there is any prospect of a re-run of the 2016 Remain campaign winning another vote.

Those who feel powerless in our country, those who are crying out to reject the status quo, will come out even stronger for Leave next time around.

In or out of the EU, I am clear that the only people's vote that will change things is a general election.

Four and a half million children are growing up in poverty, six million workers earn less than a living wage and generations of young people can't afford a decent home.

These things will only be addressed by changing the balance of forces in the UK and getting rid of this Tory government.

So forcing a general election must continue to be our number one priority and I will back Jeremy Corbyn all the way in tabling as many no confidence motions as it takes.

Whether it's on Brexit, or the domestic agenda, Theresa May's strategy has been to bury her head in the sand.

Never-mind Parliament, she cannot even get her deal through her own party.

On all of the major issues we face it is clear that the Tories have run out of road.

Unwilling to accept her deal is dead in the water, in office but not in power, it is time for May to go.

A real people's vote is a general election that gives us the chance to deliver this.

* Dave Ward is general secretary of the CWU