It follows polling that found the majority of people now think Brexit will be “bad for the country”
Over half-a-million people have signed a petition calling for people to be given a final say on the government’s future Brexit deal, as public sentiment continues to turn against Britain’s exit from the European Union.
The campaign for a second referendum – hosted on Change.org – was launched by the Independent newspaper last week alongside an editorial arguing for a second vote. The petition has received 530,000 signatures at the time of writing.
The editorial published in the paper read: “The British people decided to pursue our course in the referendum of 2016, so as we now look for a decision on whether we will like the deal agreed with the EU (assuming there is one), it is natural that those same people should have the final say.
“Indeed, given the magnitude of the decision, it would be essential for the British people to be given that final right of approval, even if cabinet and parliament were providing the leadership we need, which they are not.”
The call for the public to be given the final vote on the government’s Brexit deal has been endorsed by a number of politicians from across the political spectrum, including former Labour leader Tony Blair, current Lib Dem leader Vince Cable and the Tories’ former attorney general Dominic Grieve.
The petition follows the work of the People’s Vote campaign group that has organised demonstration and events to build a grassroots movement to demand the public have another say on the result of the 2016 referendum.
A spokesperson for the People’s Vote campaign told JOE.co.uk: “It’s fantastic to see so much momentum building behind the campaign for a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal. Brexit is too big to ignore and the people of this country must have their voices heard on the biggest issue to face this country in generations.
“With the list of broken Brexit promises piling up by the day, with ministers making a total mess of the negotiations, and with Parliament paralysed, a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal is the best solution.
“With the People’s Vote campaign launching our Summer of Action across the country, with rallies and events in every corner of the UK, it’s time for the politicians in Westminster to listen to the people and let them have their say on the terms of Brexit. Because Brexit is a big deal, but it’s not yet a done deal.”
Five months ago the prime minister ruled out the possibility of a second Brexit referendum with the Labour party also refusing to allow another vote.
A recent poll found that 65 percent of British voters now believe that the government will end up with a bad Brexit deal, an increase of 15 percent compared to similar polling from March.
