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NO REFERENDUM ROUND TWO

Government REJECTS petition signed by 4.1 million people calling for another Brexit vote

Ministers say referendum was a "once in a generation vote"

A PETITION calling for a second EU referendum will not be discussed in parliament, despite attracting more than  four million signatures.

It was the most signed petition since the scheme was introduced in 2011 attracting 4,127,126 signatures, but will not be debated by MPs.

Petitions receiving more than 100,000 signatures are considered for debate in parliament.

But the Government has decided not to debate a second vote on Britain's membership of the European Union.

It responded: "The European Union Referendum Act received Royal Assent in December 2015, receiving overwhelming support from Parliament. The Act did not set a threshold for the result or for minimum turnout."

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The online petition attracted more than four million signaturesCredit: petition.parliament.uk
NATO Summit, Warsaw, Poland - 08 Jul 2016
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The prospect of a second EU referendum will not be debated in parliamentCredit: Rex Features

The petition was created by Brexit supporter William Oliver Healey, to urge a re-run in the case of a narrow Remain victory. 

It said: "We the undersigned call upon HM Government to implement a rule that if the remain or leave vote is less than 60per cent based a turnout less than 75pc there should be another referendum."

The referendum on June 23 attracted a turnout of 73pc with 17.4 million people voting in favour of Brexit - a 52pc share of the vote.

Today pro-Europe campaigners gathered outside Downing Street in a Rise up for Europe rally.

'Rise up for Europe' rally, London, UK - 09 Jul 2016
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Protesters gathered outside Downing Street todayCredit: Rex Features
'Rise up for Europe' rally, London, UK - 09 Jul 2016
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Pro-Europe protesters at the Rise Up for Europe rallyCredit: Rex Features

The Government's full response read: "The EU Referendum Act received Royal Assent in December 2015.

"The Act was scrutinised and debated in Parliament during its passage and agreed by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

"The Act set out the terms under which the referendum would take place, including provisions for setting the date, franchise and the question that would appear on the ballot paper.

"The Act did not set a threshold for the result or for minimum turnout.

"As the Prime Minister made clear in his statement to the House of Commons on 27 June, the referendum was one of the biggest democratic exercises in British history with over 33 million people having their say.

"The Prime Minister and Government have been clear that this was a once in a generation vote and, as the Prime Minister has said, the decision must be respected.

"We must now prepare for the process to exit the EU and the Government is committed to ensuring the best possible outcome for the British people in the negotiations."

'Rise up for Europe' rally, London, UK - 09 Jul 2016
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Protesters hold up pro-Europe placardsCredit: Rex Features
A European Union flag is held in front of the Big Ben clock tower in Parliament Square during a 'March for Europe' demonstration against Britain's decision to leave the European Union, central London
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In June 52 per cent of voters said they wanted to leave the European UnionCredit: Reuters


 

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