Final Say: Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable hails 'brave' Brexit referendum campaign

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Sir Vince Cable has hailed The Independent for its “brave and correct” launch of a campaign for a referendum on the Brexit deal.

The Liberal Democrat leader, whose party is the biggest to have backed a second referendum, said another national vote was critical to solving the political crisis facing the country.

The Independent kicked off its campaign for a Final Say on whatever Brexit terms emerge next year along with a petition earlier this week.

Within 24 hours almost 200,000 had signed the petition showing the strength of feeling in the wider country for people to have an opportunity to express themselves in the deal Theresa May agrees with the EU.

Sir Vince said: “The Liberal Democrats have been fighting for the British people to have the final say on any Brexit deal, or worse still, no deal.

“This vote must include an option for an exit from Brexit.

“I congratulate The Independent for joining this campaign. It’s both a brave and correct move.”

The push was launched with a major editorial on Tuesday night which set out why a Final Say is needed for the British people.

Conservative ex-attorney general Dominic Grieve backed another referendum as the sensible way forward, with Labour’s Chuka Umunna, Lib Dem MP Layla Moran, ex Labour spinner Alistair Campbell and Gina Miller adding their support since.

The Independent’s editorial read: “The British people decided to pursue our course in the referendum of 2016, so as we now look for a decision on whether we will like the deal agreed with the EU (assuming there is one), it is natural that those same people should have the final say.

“Indeed, given the magnitude of the decision, it would be essential for the British people to be given that final right of approval, even if cabinet and parliament were providing the leadership we need, which they are not.”

The most recent polling shows that amid the chaos of the Brexit process, the largest number of people in the UK would prefer to simply remain in the EU, if forced to choose between staying or going.

The survey undertaken by BMG Research asked some 1,500 people in a balanced cross-section of the public: “should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union, or leave the European Union?”

Some 49 per cent said “remain”, while 43 per cent said “leave”, 7 per cent said they did not know and 1 per cent refused to answer.

When those who did not give a clear answer the first time were asked which way they are “leaning towards most”, a total of 51 per cent said “remain”, and 45 per cent said “leave”, while 5 per cent still said they did not know or refused to answer.