Referendum may be only way to break Brexit deadlock, says Hammond

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/30/new-referendum-may-be-only-way-to-break-brexit-deadlock-says-hammond

Referendum may be only way to break Brexit deadlock, says Hammond

Chancellor does not rule out running for party leadership if his views are not represented

Rowena Mason Deputy political editor

Thu 30 May 2019 11.46 BST Last modified on Thu 30 May 2019 12.24 BST

Philip Hammond has become the most senior Conservative to signal he might be prepared to back a second referendum as he left the door open to the possibility of a surprise run to become the next prime minister. In a significant intervention, the chancellor said the only way of breaking the Brexit deadlock might be to put the decision back to the people, either through a general election or another referendum.

His comments suggest there could be growing openness among some soft Brexit Tories to a second referendum, meaning a majority for it in the House of Commons would not be impossible if Labour were to shift its position to unequivocally back a people’s vote.

Hammond told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It will be a stain on parliament’s reputation if at the end we have to admit that we have been unable to agree how to discharge the [Brexit] mandate from the people.

“But if we do get to the point when we have to admit that parliament can’t resolve this issue then clearly it will have to be remitted back to the people. I am not sure the general election can resolve the question for the simple reason that both the main political parties are divided on the issues.”

Asked if he could support a second referendum, he said: “My strong preference would be for parliament to resolve this issue but if parliament can’t resolve it then parliament will have to decide how we remit it back to the people, whether it is in the form of a general election or a referendum.”

Hammond had previously indicated he would not run to be Tory leader but he hinted he might change his mind if his views were not properly represented by another candidate.

“My position is this: I have a very clear view about these things and I want to make sure my view is represented in this contest,” he said. “Because my views are quite well known and have been expressed in quite uncompromising terms over a long period of time, I am, perhaps, quite a divisive figure. I would rather that the view I represent is presented in this contest by someone with, perhaps, a fresher face.

“As long as I feel the views I hold are properly represented, I won’t feel the need to take part.”
(snip)