Lib Dems to push for vote on second Brexit referendum in House of Commons
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire. - Credit: PA
The Liberal Democrats will push for MPs to vote on a second Brexit referendum to find out if it has the support of a majority in the House of Commons.
While a decision on a confirmatory vote had been expected as part of the Kyle amendment, if Boris Johnson brought back a deal, the Lib Dems are looking to seize the initiative by tabling a motion on a People's Vote as part of the Queen's Speech debate.
If selected it would be an opportunity to find out if a second Brexit referendum commands the support of MPs in the House of Commons - and whether Jeremy Corbyn is ready to instruct his party to vote for it.
It would also be a test of the loyalties of Tory rebels who lost the Conservative whip over the Benn act.
The party said the motion has been tabled as a back up option should Saturday's event not take place, and would allow MPs to vote on a second referendum as early as Tuesday.
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Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson said it showed that the Lib Dems are the "leading voice in the People's Vote campaign".
She said: "Boris Johnson is determined to have a general election, but the best way to resolve the Brexit chaos is to have a People's Vote and give the British people the final say about their future.
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"The best deal we have is as members of the European Union and we want to give the people the chance to choose to stop Brexit."
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