SEDGEFIELD MP Phil Wilson is this week preparing the way for a second referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union.

Mr Wilson is working in conjunction with Brighton MP Peter Kyle to put an amendment before the House of Commons which would allow Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal to pass – but only if the country backs it in a second vote.

He sees his approach as being more likely to achieve its goal than the breakaway Independent Group of Labour and Conservative MPs, which also supports a second referendum.

“I’m not going to leave the Labour Party and sit with a group of independents,” said Mr Wilson, who has represented the south Durham constituency since Tony Blair stood down in 2007. “I am focussing on Brexit and at times like this, you’ve got to put the country before party politics.

“I am really, really worried about the implications for the country and my constituents.

“I honestly believe it should be put back to the people because now we know what Brexit looks like.”

The Kyle-Wilson Amendment, as it is called, was to have been placed before the House tomorrow, but has been put back now that Mrs May has postponed the “meaningful vote” on her deal.

The amendment has been framed as it features two very different seats at either ends of the country – Mr Kyle’s Hove constituency voted to remain in the 2016 whereas Mr Wilson’s Sedgefield voted to leave.

Previously, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had been regarded as being against a second referendum, but over the weekend there were signs that the amendment was gaining wide support among moderate Labour MPs and also some high ranking figures.

“I’m doing my best to influence the front bench to support our amendment because it fulfils Labour Party policy as agreed at the party conference,” said Mr Wilson.

“Mrs May’s deal now defines Brexit and people should compare it to the promises that were made during the referendum, and they should remember that it isn’t the end of Brexit, it is just the beginning.

“If people still want to go ahead with it, then fine, I will go along with it, only this time their decision will be based on facts and knowledge.

“Sir Keir Starmer, our Brexit spokesman, and (Shadow Chancellor) John McDonnell have both warmed to this idea, and John Cryer, chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party and a Eurosceptic as well, has come round to support it. It is no small beer.”

Mrs May has said MPs will get a “meaningful vote” on her revised deal before March 12. Another amendment, put forward by Labour’s Yvette Cooper and backed by Tory luminaries such as Sir Oliver Letwin, says that if Mrs May’s deal doesn’t pass, Article 50 should be extended so that Britain doesn’t leave the EU on March 29 with no-deal.

However, Mr Wilson believes this will only extend the uncertainty that is harming the economy.

Of the breakaway Independent Group, Mr Wilson said: “It is a very big thing for someone to leave a political party, and I have a great deal of sympathy for Luciana (Berger), who has been bullied out of the Labour Party. Anti-Semitism has got to be addressed by the leadership.

“I have been in the party nearly 40 years and it is so sad that this has become a major issue.”