Remainers and leave voters alike are being encouraged to write to their MP if they want a second vote on Britain leaving the European Union.

Local Liberal Democrats have been calling for Bath & North East Somerset Council to back the People’s Vote campaign to give the public a vote on the final Brexit deal.

But opponents said the 2016 referendum had been decisive, and it was not for local government to try to influence the possibility of a second poll. Council Leader, Tim Warren, urged residents to appeal to their MP – but conceded they are unlikely to change the minds of staunch Brexiteer, Jacob Rees-Mogg or Europhile, Wera Hobhouse.

Separately, a petition urging the council to “ask our MPs to reject a no-deal Brexit and to give the British people a vote” has attracted more than 500 signatures.

Speaking at Thursday’s full council meeting, Lib-Dem Councillor, Sue Craig, said: “We have all, leavers and remainers alike, learned so much since the 2016

Referendum. The full implications of leaving the EU are much clearer.

“If our politicians in Westminster can’t unite around the national interest, let’s give the decision on the final deal back to the people who expressed a choice in 2016.”

Some 700,000 people marched in London last month in support of a

People’s Vote. Lib-Dem group leader, Cllr Dine Romero, added: “The 2016 Referendum was a snapshot of public opinion at the time. Since then a lot of new information has come to light.

“It’s OK to change your mind. Polling shows the UK as a whole would vote to remain. I believe our residents would wish us to support this campaign and trust them to have the final say.”

Conservative Councillor, Tim Warren, disagreed. He said: “I get elected by Conservatives but when I’m elected, I represent everybody. I don’t think it’s right for us as a council that pushes an agenda that half of our residents don’t agree with.

"I encourage all residents, both for and against a people’s vote, to write to their MPs. With the two MPs we have locally, I don’t think you’re going to bend either of them, but I would recommend you write to your MP and say what you feel.”

Conservative Councillor, Paul Myers, said the Lib-Dems were dragging the Council into national issues and questioned what their motion would achieve.

He added: “We’ve had a referendum. Why do we need an additional people’s vote? If we don’t like the answer, are we going to continually have referendums until everyone is just bored into submission? We just have to get on with it.”

B&NES Council backed Cllr Warren’s amendment encouraging residents to write to their MP. The petition on the People’s Vote says it is “absolutely right” for local authorities to “make a stand” for communities up and down the country where jobs and businesses are “under threat”.

It is open until 3rd December and will then be submitted to B&NES Council. It can be viewed at: https://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/mgEPetitionListDisplay.aspx

Stephen Sumner