Fury over suggestion Keir Starmer could call new Brexit referendum – ‘bonkers’ | Politics | News
Sir Keir Starmer with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Image: Getty)
The idea that Sir Keir Starmer could hold a new Brexit referendum amid rising global tensions has sparked debate online. Tom McTague, editor-in-chief of the New Statesman, said British people were likely to vote to return to the bloc if the Prime Minister called an early referendum on EU membership.
In a clip posted on the New Statesman’s Instagram page, McTague said the “vast majority” of Labor and MPs think Brexit was a mistake and we should go back to the European Union.
He continued: “Imagine a scenario where Keir Starmer comes out tomorrow and gives a speech and says ‘in seven weeks we will have a snap referendum on rejoining the EU to defend ourselves against reckless Trump and reckless Vladimir Putin.’
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
“What are the chances that the country will vote to return? It’s pretty high, right? If you look at the polls, it’s pretty high.”
This topic was discussed on social media, with many people debating whether this was actually possible.
One user on X called it “crazy”, saying: “1. The Brexit vote was almost 10 years ago, let it go.
“There is no democratic authority to hold a second referendum.
“3. 7 weeks is not enough time to organize a referendum, decide on the conditions under which it will be held, and pass it through the parliament, etc.
Another said “unlikely”, while a third said: “Yes. Why not do something to unite the divided right and remind every Brexit voter why they voted against Labor in 2019? Genius.”
The fourth said “nonsense”, while the fifth said: “I have no chance”.
But one X user even suggested that the referendum wasn’t necessary. They said: “I don’t think the referendum is necessary, it needs to be rejoined as a national emergency.”
Commenting on the New Statesman video, one person said: “Labour is too weak to even do what they believe in”, while another simply wrote: “No”.
Others also supported the concept, with one user writing: “So let’s do it!!”
Another said: “Keep going Britain!”
The New Statesman is generally seen by many as left-leaning and pro-European.
On its website it describes itself as “the UK’s leading progressive political and cultural magazine”.
In the referendum held in June 2016, Britain voted to leave the EU with 52 percent to 48 percent.
