A Brexit referendum could be staged within 22 weeks of May losing a Commons vote on her deal, ex-Cabinet minister Justine Greening claims
- Justine Greening is among the Tories demanding second referendum on Brexit
- Ex-education secretary claims staging a national vote would take just 22 weeks
- She said planning should start immediately if Theresa May’s package is defeated
- The PM has again dismissed idea of a referendum saying it would harm ‘trust’
A new Brexit referendum could staged within 22 weeks of Theresa May’s deal being defeated, Justine Greening said today.
The former education secretary said a national ballot could start being arranged immediately after the Commons showdown on December 11 – and would potentially be held in May.
The claim came as Remainers stepped up their bid to force a rethink on the Brexit process.
But Mrs May has again dismissed the idea of a referendum, saying it would harm ‘trust in politicians’ and mean tearing up the deal she has struck with the EU.
Speaking at an event in London alongside ex-minister Jo Johnson today, Ms Greening said: ‘I’ve worked out that you could plan and hold a referendum in 22 weeks.
Former education secretary Justine Greening (pictured today) said a national ballot could start being arranged immediately after the Commons showdown on December 11 – and would potentially be held in May
‘We could actually, after this vote on December 11, hold a referendum, potentially, on May 30 next year.
‘We could, alongside that, choose to extend Article 50, I’ve suggested, by four months to July 29.’
Ms Greening insisted the necessary legislation could be passed during the time frame and the referendum question could include three options; remaining in the EU, leaving on the terms of Mrs May’s agreement, or leaving without a deal.
The ex-Cabinet minister said voters could list their choice in order of preference, as in mayoral elections.
Ms Greening said voters had to decide on the issue because they were tired of a ‘Game of Thrones-style’ approach to Brexit in Parliament.
Speaking at the same event in London, Mr Johnson – who quit as transport minister earlier this month in protest at Mrs May’s Brexit agenda – said a new referendum could have a positive impact on the country.
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Mr Johnson said that a new referendum would allow the Government to concentrate on domestic issues.
He said: ‘Some say giving the public the final say will tear the country apart.
‘In fact, I believe an honest debate in light of the experience we have all had as a country over the last two-and-a-half years could be part of a necessary healing process that will allow us to return to the agenda the PM herself so eloquently outlined on the housing crisis, our poor social mobility, our poor productivity.’
Mr Johnson, whose brother is arch-Brexiteer Boris Johnson, urged MPs to vote against Mrs May’s deal as it was a ‘worst of all worlds Brexit’ and bad for the country and the Tory party’s election chances.
The ex-transport minister said the Conservatives risk an election disaster on the scale of 1997 if they back Mrs May’s plans.
Theresa May (pictured at the Liaison Committee today) has again dismissed the idea of a referendum, saying it would harm ‘trust in politicians’ and mean tearing up the deal she has struck with the EU
He said: ‘Both the deal and no deal would be disastrous for our economy.
‘The Conservative Party’s reputation for economic competence would be undermined by implementing a botched Brexit, especially one that the Government’s own analysis suggests will cause economic harm.
‘Brexit is seen as a project driven by the Conservative Party and this half-baked, worst of all worlds Brexit could trigger an electoral defeat on the scale of 1997, or worse, with this ‘Tory Brexit’ label an albatross around our necks for years to come.’
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