FROM the moment the UK made the decision to exit the European Union in 2016, there has been a simmering political and public debate on revisiting the outcome in a second referendum. But the ‘People’s Vote’, as it has been dubbed, is fast becoming as divisive as its predecessor. Here University of Sunderland academics Dr Peter Hayes – a staunch remainer – and Dr Kevin Yuill – a Brexit champion – set out the case for and against ahead of a public debate on the issue at the University on Tuesday.

YES – Dr Peter Hayes, Senior Lecturer in Politics

THERE should be a second referendum and it should be held as soon as possible. We should not wait to have a referendum on the deal the Government makes; it is possible that there may not be a deal, or that the deal reached may be merely to keep negotiating in an extended ‘transition period’ with substantial issues unresolved.

The best option is to hold another referendum now, with exactly the same wording as last time: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”

There should be referendum to make sure that, knowing what we now do, the majority of the voting public in the UK still want to leave the EU.

An essential part of a democracy is that the public are able to come to reasoned decisions when they vote. Since the first referendum vote on June 23, 2016, there has been a steep learning curve about the EU; the public is now far better informed than it was about both the specific issues and about the power politics of leaving the Union.

In fact, we have probably learned more about the UK’s place in the EU in the two years since 2016 than we did in the more than 40 years since we first voted to confirm membership of the Common Market (as it was then called) back in 1975.

A second essential part of democracy is being able to change your mind, or to correct mistakes; this is partly why we have recurring general elections. It is, therefore, wholly democratic, as well as vitally important to the UK’s future, that the public is given the chance to confirm whether or not they wish to leave the EU.

NO – Dr Kevin Yuill, Programme Leader for History and ardent Brexiteer

THERE should not be a second referendum because to have another would be to negate the biggest democratic vote in British history. It would fatally undermine democracy in the UK. Is remaining attached to Brussels really more important than maintaining the hard-won existence of democracy in the United Kingdom? Those who call for a “People’s referendum” must now ask themselves this question.

The People’s Vote is, if anything, the opposite of a people’s vote. Always an Orwellian enterprise, it is an elite project – Tony Blair, Alistair Campbell, Richard Branson, assorted luvvies and the House of Lords – against the people.

It seems purposefully to sow confusion – is this a vote on the final deal or is it a vote to remain in or leave the EU? – in order to fudge the clear will of the people. The aim here is not to change people’s minds, but to beat Leave voters into submission after they have been softened up by some rather ridiculous scaremongering, none of which, so far, has materialised.

This vote comes from the same people who called the British people racist, ignorant, selfish and many other names for having the temerity to question their betters and threaten their property portfolios in London. It is an horrendous betrayal of the men and women who died for extension of the vote to tell the majority of the country, as the People’s Vote clearly does, that your votes do not matter, that the opinions of bankers in London count more than those of people in the North-East.

It is unworkable. If this vote goes ahead, will we then have another in two years to make it the best of five?

Sensible remainers will respect the June 23 vote. We cannot simply annul votes we do not like. British democracy will be destroyed for an entire generation if the biggest vote in the country’s history is rescinded.

Dr Hayes and Dr Yuill will debate ‘Brexit: Should there be a Second Referendum?’ on Tuesday between 6.15pm and 7.45pm at the Sir Tom Cowie Lecture Theatre, University of Sunderland. See https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brexit-should-there-be-a-second-referendum-tickets-52090424863 to register.