Sir John: Let MPs vote on Brexit with their conscience
Former prime ministers Sir John Major (left) and Tony Blair walk across the Peace Bridge in Londonderry - Credit: PA Archive/PA Images
Sir John Major has called for MPs to be given a free vote on the way forward on Brexit to break the deadlock in parliament and to truly represent their constituents.
The former prime minister said that following the crushing defeat in the Commons it was clear that Theresa May's deal was dead.
He urged her to stage a series of 'indicative' votes to enable her to establish which, if any, of the alternative proposals could command a majority.
'The prime minister argued valiantly for her deal. She fought for it but the House of Commons killed it and killed it comprehensively,' he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
'The prime minister still needs a deal. If she can't deliver one that Parliament accepts, then she needs to become a facilitator, a mediator, to find out what Parliament will accept.'
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Sir John, whose premiership was riven by divisions over Europe, said that ideally all the party leaders would give their MPs a free vote to allow an 'honest representation' of opinion in the House.
'It is the only way to get an absolutely honest answer from Members of Parliament and if it is a free vote it removes the danger of resignations from Government or the opposition frontbench because they disagree with their leader's policy,' he said.
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