Author: Frank Langfitt / Source: NPR.org
Not so long ago, staging another Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom seemed almost unthinkable. But in recent weeks, as calls have grown louder, the unthinkable has begun to seem plausible.
Last week, former Prime Minister Tony Blair said because of the current political chaos and future economic risks, the British should have another say on whether to leave the European Union if there are no other viable options.
“Our knowledge of the consequence is a world greater than when we took the decision,” said Blair, referring to the 2016 Brexit referendum. “In what other circumstances would we refuse the right to reconsider … indeed regard discussion of such a change as somehow a betrayal of principle?”
On Monday, Prime Minister Theresa May said taking the issue back to voters would indeed constitute a betrayal.
“Another vote … would do irreparable damage to the integrity of our politics,” said May, “because it would say to millions who trusted in democracy, that our democracy does not deliver.”
How did the call for a second referendum go from a complete long shot to a possibility politicians are now discussing?
Analysts say it is a function of dwindling options and the risk of parliamentary gridlock. The prime minister’s Brexit “divorce” deal is so unpopular she canceled last week’s parliamentary vote and now is aiming to bring it up the week of Jan. 14, in hopes that legislators will have had a change of heart over the holidays.
If May’s deal fails, the default option is to leave the European Union with no deal at all,…
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