The former Tory Prime Minister also issued a withering attack on Theresa May’s EU negotiation, branding her red lines as 'grand folly' and 'bad politics'
SIR John Major has called on Theresa May to give all Tory MPs and ministers a free vote on Brexit deal to allow them to torpedo her final EU deal.
The former Tory PM also issued a withering attack on Mrs May’s EU negotiation, branding her red lines as “grand folly” and “bad politics”.
His fresh intervention in the debate with Tory tensions already spiralling will be seen as an extraordinary challenge on the current PM’s authority.
Losing a showdown Commons vote on the shape of Britain’s EU exit in the Autumn would end Mrs May’s Premiership.
But urging Mrs May to make the “brave and bold decision”, Sir John insisted it was one of only two ways to heal the country’s deep splits on Brexit – with the other being a second EU referendum.
It would also allow the Tory party to escape “the most terrible backlash” if Brexit turns bad, he argued.
Speaking to tech leaders, Sir John said: “I know the instinct of every Government is to oppose free votes, but the Government should weigh the advantages of having one very carefully.
“It may be in their interest to do so.
“Both democracy and prudence suggest a free vote.
“No-one can truly know what the will of the people may then be.
“So, let Parliament decide. Or, put the issue back to the people.”
Options put in front of MPs and peers must be to accept or reject the final deal, send the negotiators back for a different one, or call a fresh In/Out nationwide vote.
Sir John added: “My preference would be for Parliament to decide, as I don’t particularly like referendums.”
Brexit will only come into full effect in 2021 - after the two year transition period, five years after the EU referendum verdict, he argued.
That meant there would have been a large turnover of voters since the initial landmark decision; through death, coming of age or people changing their mind.
And if Mrs May refuses to grant the free vote, Sir John also called on Tory MPs to “decide the issue on the basis of their own conscience” – a thinly veiled call on them to rebel against her.
The former Tory leader for seven years also issued a withering attack on Mrs May’s negotiating red lines, branding her aims as “unrealistic”.
Calling on her to start compromising, Sir John added: “Our self-imposed red lines have boxed the Government into a corner.
“They are so tilted to ultra Brexit opinion, even the Cabinet cannot agree them.”
He added: “With only 12 months to go, we need answers, not aspirations”.
The 74 year-old elder statesman said he took “no pleasure” in speaking out to attack his own party’s current position, but claimed he had to, as “it’s as necessary to speak truth to the people, as to power”.
In the speech to the Creative Industries Federation, Sir John also admitted Brexit won’t be the full-blown disaster that the Remain campaign’s Project Fear once claimed.
He said: “Of course we will get through it: life as we know it won’t come to an end. We are too resourceful and talented a nation for that”.
He also conceded that gloomy forecasts about Brexit could be wrong, but added: “But to dismiss them out of hand is reckless”.
The ex-Tory boss also claimed tense and drawn out negotiations with Brussels have already suppressed the nation’s economic growth and Britain’s growing distance from the EU has already made the country “a lesser actor” on the world stage.
Instead of being the fasting growing EU economy, the UK is now “the laggard at the bottom”.
Insisting he is “neither a Europhile nor a Eurosceptic”, but “a realist”, Sir John added: “I believe that to risk losing our trade advantages with the colossal market on our doorstep is to inflict economic self-harm on the British people.
“The will of the people can’t be ignored, but Parliament has a duty also to consider the wellbeing of the people".
He also dubbed Brexit as “the most divisive issue of my lifetime” and called for all sides to tone down the bitter clashes.
Sir John said: “In this debate there are no “remoaners”, no “mutineers”, no “enemies of the people” – just voices setting out what they believe is right for our country.
“We are all urged to be “patriotic” and get behind Brexit. But it is precisely because I am patriotic that I oppose it.”
Downing Street sources revealed Sir John called Mrs May’s chief of staff Gavin Barwell to brief him on the broadside on Tuesday.
The ex-Premier also insisted on delaying his speech’s timing until after PMQs today so as not to embarrass Mrs May further.
