Theresa May says a 2nd Brexit referendum would be a ‘gross betrayal’ of democracy and trust | Digital Asia

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British Prime Minister Theresa May.

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• British Prime Minister Theresa May has categorically ruled out a second Brexit referendum, saying it would be a “gross betrayal” of democracy and trust.
• It is not the first time May has shut down a so-called People’s Vote, but it is the most strident she has been in her language.
• Her comments in The Sunday Telegraph come amid growing calls to re-run the 2016 referendum to leave the European Union – including from within her own party.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has gone further than ever before in ruling out a second Brexit referendum, saying it would be a betrayal of democracy and trust.

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, May attempted the shut down growing calls to re-run the 2016 referendum to leave the European Union.

Amid the threat of a potentially catastrophic no-deal Brexit and evidence that the Vote Leave campaign broke electoral laws, a recent YouGov/Times poll showed that 42% of the UK public now support another vote.

Meanwhile, members of May’s own party have broken rank in joining the People’s Vote, which is campaigning for another referendum. Even staunch Brexiteer Nigel Farage has said a second vote would stop Remainers “whinging” about the result.

But May said another vote would be a “gross betrayal” of British democracy and trust. Here’s her quote in full, from The Sunday Telegraph:

“In the summer of 2016, millions came out to have their say. In many cases, for the first time in decades they trusted that their vote would count; that after years of feeling ignored by politics, their voices would be heard.

“To ask the question all over again would be a gross betrayal of our democracy – and a betrayal of trust.”

It is not the first time May has ruled out a second referendum. In February, she said “there is no question of a second referendum or going back,” while in July her spokesman said: “There is not going to be a second referendum under any circumstances.”

But Sunday’s intervention is the most strident she has been in her language. Also in the Telegraph, May added that she will not accept any compromises to her Chequers Brexit plan “that are not in our national interest.”

The prime minister is “confident” that the government can strike “a good deal,” but said Britain would “be ready if we need to be” in the event of not securing a deal from the EU, and that the country would “go on to thrive.”