Pro-EU hardliners could back soft Brexit deal if linked to second referendum

Emilio Casalicchio

Pro-EU hardliners have said they could vote for a soft Brexit plan if it was linked to a second referendum on quitting the bloc.



MPs from The Independent Group have suggested they will throw their weight behind a proposal to merge two motions that were rejected by the Commons last night in a bid to clinch a majority to break the Brexit deadlock.

It is understood that talks are underway with other pro-second referendum and pro-customs union MPs in the hope of laying a fresh plan to be voted on in the coming days.

But one source said the plan would also have to involve Britain staying in elements of the single market too.

The Independent Group MPs sparked fury from those pushing for a soft Brexit last night when they voted against the proposal for a customs union in the latest round of so-called ‘indicative votes’.

The plan failed to secure a Commons majority by just three votes, while a proposal for a second EU referendum was defeated by 12.

But today Chris Leslie, an MP for The Independent Group - recently renamed Change UK - said MPs should “find a majority” for a customs union plan with a second referendum bolted on.

He said on Twitter: “The way forward now is to compromise around a cross-party motion, bringing together those arguing for a Customs Union Brexit and those of us who want to give people an option of staying in EU through a ‘confirmatory public vote’.”

A source said the stance was a party-wide view, while other members including Heidi Allen and Anna Soubry retweeted the message.

Another Independent Group MP said the plan would have to involve some "regulatory alignment" with single market rules - which could become a bone of contention in the talks.

Mr Umunna last night said the solution to the deadlock was to “put keeping our current deal as an EU member and leaving with a CU on the ballot in a #PeoplesVote”.

Theresa May is expected to put her Brexit deal back to parliament this week, but MPs will have another chance tomorrow afternoon to put forward their own proposals.

The Prime Minister is holding a Cabinet meeting this morning to work out a way to break the impasse at Westminster.