Balance of Power: A Second Brexit Referendum?
Balance of Power: A Second Brexit Referendum?
(Bloomberg) -- One of the most frequently asked questions in London over the past year has been whether Brexit can be avoided, perhaps by holding a second referendum.
Until recently, the notion had a smack of desperation to it, but things might be changing after last month’s election. And the once-derided Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, may hold the key.
True, Corbyn has said over and over again that he “respects the EU referendum result” and he can’t ignore his party’s working-class base, which largely voted for Brexit.
But there’s a long way to go before Britain leaves the EU in March 2019. Corbyn’s Labour party is already teaming up with government rebels to soften Prime Minister Theresa May’s flagship Brexit legislation. By the time the divorce is due to happen, the economy’s recent slowdown could have turned into something much worse, making voters ready for a rethink.
Corbyn might then be tempted to finally side with the Liberal Democrats, a smaller opposition party, to push for another vote.
For the moment, polls show few regrets about the referendum decision. But things are in flux in Parliament and across the country.
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To contact the editor responsible for this story: Caroline Alexander at calexander1@bloomberg.net.