BREXIT STITCH-UP: May Cabinet split over second Brexit vote – ‘Look at rage and despair' A CABINET split over calls for a second EU referendum was laid bare yesterday as senior ministers discussed the proposal with Labour frontbenchers.
Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Health Secretary Matt Hancock both distanced themselves from a suggestion made by Chancellor Philip Hammond that a fresh poll on the UK’s future links with Brussels was a “perfectly credible” idea. They spoke out after it was confirmed that the possibility of a “confirmatory” vote on EU withdrawal arrangements was one of the issues on the table in the cross-party talks between the Government and opposition to try to break the Brexit deadlock in Parliament. Plans for the UK to remain in a permanent customs union with the EU after Brexit were also discussed.
EU Exit Secretary Stephen Barclay and Cabinet Office minister David Lidington spent more than four hours in talks with shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer and other Labour figures.
The meeting came after Mr Hammond, a leading Cabinet Remainer, raised the possibility of a second referendum in a television interview.
He said a "confirmatory" vote on any Brexit deal was a "perfectly credible proposition" unlike some of the other ideas circulating at Westminster which were "not deliverable".
Mr Hammond said that "some kind of customs arrangement is clearly going to be part of the future structure".
He added: ”When you enter into a negotiation like this to find a compromise way forward, both parties have to give something up.
"There is going to be pain on both sides."
His remarks intensified irritation among Eurosceptic Tories about the cross-party talks.
Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the European Research Group of backbenchers, said: “The Chancellor has come up with about the stupidest suggestion I could imagine.
“Look at the rage and despair created by asking Parliament to choose between Brexit in name only or no Brexit, and then imagine the public reaction. Is he trying to destroy all faith in democracy?”
Former whip Michael Fabricant questioned whether the Chancellor had "gone rogue".
Wading into the row, Mr Hancock distanced himself from the second referendum proposal.
The Health Secretary said: “A Second Referendum would be divisive without being decisive. We need to get on with delivering the result of the referendum.”
Mr Cox also appeared unenthusiastic about a poll, saying: “The Prime Minister and the Government are entering these discussions in good faith and with no preconditions.
“I think a good deal of persuasion might be needed to satisfy the Government that a second referendum would be appropriate. But of course we will consider any suggestion that’s made.”
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson also spoke out to claim a deal “without a customs union” would be his preference.
He said: ”I think we all look with interest as to the talks that are ongoing between the Prime Minister and the leader of Her Majesty's Opposition, and we look forward to what, if any, results come out of that.”
He said Mrs May’s deal “delivers Britain's exit from the EU without a customs union”.
He said: “It sounds like a good deal to vote for.”
Mrs May is expected to meet Mr Corbyn again as early as today [Friday] to continue the discussions.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “Both sets of negotiating teams met for four and a half hours of detailed and productive technical talks in the Cabinet Office, supported by the Civil Service.
“The Government and the Opposition hope to meet again tomorrow for further work to find a way forward to deliver on the referendum, mindful of the need to make progress ahead of the forthcoming European Council.”
With no sign of an end to the Brexit logjam, Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom yesterday warned MPs could have more of their Easter holiday cut short.
Speaking during Business Questions, Mrs Leadsom said: "We do want to enable all colleagues to have a break during Holy Week but I would note we need to retain flexibility to potentially sit on Monday and Tuesday of that week, April 15 and 16."
She also said: "It is likely we may need to sit on Friday of next week."
It comes after the February recess for the Commons was also cancelled so MPs could pass legislation related to Brexit.
No.10 last night announced several ministerial appointments following a slew of recent resignations.
Justin Tomlinson will be a Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions while James Cleverly has been handed the ministerial role of Exiting the European Union.
Seema Kennedy becomes a junior minister at the Department of Health and Social Care as does Andrew Stephenson at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Will Quince talkes on a junior ministerial role at the Department for Work and Pensions.
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