MPs must follow their conscience instead of party line when they next get to vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal, a large majority of the British public have said in a new poll.

The BMG survey for The Independent showed almost two-thirds of people want MPs to have a “free vote” in parliament when the opportunity comes up over the next few weeks.

It comes as the prime minister was once again defeated in a Commons vote on Brexit last week, while Labour MPs also rebelled in their dozens against Jeremy Corbyn’s will.

The next moment when MPs will have a “meaningful vote” on the deal agreed between Ms May and the EU could come at the end of February or even in mid-March, just days before the UK is due to drop out of the bloc.

Pollsters explained the difference between a “whipped vote”, in which MPs are told by party leaders what to do, and a “free vote”, in which they can decide themselves, to a weighted sample of more than 1,500 people.

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When asked which system should be used when MPs next vote on Ms May’s deal, 60 per cent said they should have a free vote, while just 17 per cent thought it should be whipped and 23 per cent did not know.

Ms May’s Brexit plans were dealt a body blow after dozens of Tories inflicted an embarrassing defeat on their leader, refusing to back a motion reiterating support for her negotiating strategy after becoming suspicious she would use it to rule out a no-deal Brexit.

Mr Corbyn also suffered a revolt when dozens of his own MPs backed an SNP call for an “immediate” move to delay Brexit by extending Article 50.

The Labour leader had ordered his MPs to abstain – but he was defied by 41 who voted with the Scottish Nationalists for a suspension of “no fewer than three months”, past 29 March.

The splits in the two major political parties were mirrored in the general public, with more in the poll believing a no-deal Brexit would be bad for jobs, wages, prices and the economy generally – but also saying the negative effects of a no deal had been exaggerated, and that they would be worth it if it meant freedom from EU regulation and an independent trade policy.

Source Note: BMG Research interviewed a representative sample of 1,503 GB adults online between 4 and 8 February. Data are weighted. BMG are members of the British Polling Council and abide by their rules

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