Brexit: Supporters of second referendum call for delay to Commons vote until it has 'greatest chance of success'

Leading supporters of a fresh Brexit referendum are calling for a delay to a Commons vote until it has the “greatest chance of success”.

MPs of all parties fear an expected push for a showdown next Tuesday would backfire because there is currently no majority in favour, while the Labour leadership refuses to commit.

Dr Sarah Wollaston, the Conservative Final Say supporter, and other “doctors in the house” are considering an amendment to trigger a vote next week, alongside moves for the Commons to “take control”.

But, at a People’s Vote event, Labour MPs, a Liberal Democrat and Caroline Lucas, the Green MP, all urged patience and suggested the clash would come too soon.

They want other options, such as a Norway-plus soft Brexit, to be rejected first – while one said the Commons should first grab more power to dictate the timing and impact of such a vote.

Bridget Phillipson, a Labour MP, said: “There is feeling in parliament that we do need to move through all the options that are available before we reach that stage.

“I want to make sure that, when we get to the point of having vote on securing a referendum, it is at the point when we have the greatest prospect of success.”

Ms Lucas said: “Our best chance of getting it through is when the debates and votes on other options have been addressed and, in my view, defeated and exhausted.”

And Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem deputy leader, suggested delay would reap rewards, saying: “Some of the amendments down next week would hand parliament more control of the agenda.”

The Independent understands that Dr Wollaston, Labour’s Paul Williams and Philippa Whitford, a Scottish Nationalist MP and doctor, are still deciding whether to move quickly.

Currently, only about 150 MPs have come out for a Final Say referendum – and Jeremy Corbyn is only seeking Commons time for a vote on the issue, while not saying if Labour would back it.

The focus is next week will be on the cross-party attempt to give parliament the power to order Theresa May to seek a delay to Brexit, until the end of 2019, if she has failed to pass her deal by the end of February.

The Conservatives have yet to say whether they will whip their MPs against the plan – after Amber Rudd, the work and pensions secretary, called for a free vote and warned of mass ministerial resignations otherwise.

Nevertheless, both Ms Phillipson and David Lammy, a former Labour minister, welcomed Mr Corbyn’s amendment wanting time for a Commons vote on a fresh referendum

Mr Lammy said: “Ultimately, I think that we have to end up in a place where we put this to a public vote. That is the nature of the amendment Labour has put down.”

And Ms Phillipson said: “I think Jeremy understands that a majority of Labour voters, and a vast majority of Labour members, want us to campaign for a referendum. I think he is a democrat and he will ultimately respond to that.”