Huge obstacles remain to a second Brexit referendum

Advocates of a second referendum have a new plan: to push for a “ratification referendum”, meaning a public vote after Theresa May’s deal goes through. This would still require lots of Labour MPs to support a Tory Brexit, something the party seems set against. Some believe that the threat of a delay to Brexit also means it is more likely that Brexiteers vote for Mrs May’s deal. However, huge obstacles remain to a second vote. Ultimately it is very hard to push through a referendum unless the government agrees. Some MPs backing a second referendum hope that the binding nature of the forthcoming vote could make it impossible for the government to ignore. However, it requires parliamentary time and government money to set up, as well as an extension to Article 50.