Huw Merriman Conservative MP has said he is ready to defy whips and will call for a peoples vote, he said it is “likely” his appearance at a rally in London on Tuesday will cost him his job.
The rally in Westminster will see many cross party politicians and campaigners calling for a second referendum, ahead of Wednesday’s emergency EU summit to decide if the UK leaves without a deal.
At the rally Merriman is expected to say, “This is not only a political crisis but a national emergency.
“Whether you voted Leave or Remain in 2016, whether you want the Prime Minister’s deal, another deal or no Brexit at all, what is needed now is for MPs to come together in the national interest so we can deliver an outcome.
“I have fiercely opposed a second referendum. But I find myself here on this platform, at this critical time for our country, because, along with many more MPs on all sides of the House of Commons, I have reluctantly come to accept that the solution to the deadlock in Parliament is to let the people back into this decision.”
The MP is expected to demand a new vote is binding.
He will say, “A wind of change of is blowing through this debate that can clear the way to a solution.
“A new vote is the way to deliver the clarity we need. A new vote – whichever way it goes – must be binding on our elected leaders.
“A new vote is the only way to ensure a lasting settlement for our politicians and for our country too.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he said he is likely to be sacked for giving his speech.
He said, “It has been made clear to me that is not Government policy.
“My issue with that is that, a week ago, we were given free votes and I was allowed to vote for this concept of putting the Prime Minister’s deal back to the people to get it through.
“If I then get sacked for actually explaining the way I voted in a free vote, that to me would be a new low in democracy.
“It would be nonsensical for me to be given a free vote, to be allowed to vote the way I wish to vote, but then to explain it I would lose my position.
“That’s politics of the madhouse and I am just not willing to go along with that.”
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