Theresa May should back a People’s Vote — with one condition

Writing for The Spectator, I am already at grave risk of being expelled from the liberal elite, doubly so as a Remainer who (wearily, sceptically, fearfully) accepts the democratic mandate for Brexit. Soon I won’t be able to pick up breakfast at my local vegan food truck without the guy shrieking, ‘OH, DOES ROD LIDDLE LIKE SMASHED AVOCADO ON RYE TOO?’

So I embark on this, a thought experiment and not a serious proposal, with some trepidation. Here is the problem: the country voted to leave the European Union but MPs are not thrilled about the idea. They voted down the Prime Minister’s deal with the EU on the terms of our departure, some because it was too Brexity and others because it wasn’t Brexity enough. Then they voted to half-resurrect it if she can just negotiate the Irish backstop out of the agreement. May’s zombie accord was dead and has been reanimated, but signs of life don’t look good: Brussels is not for reopening talks on what they consider a done deal.