As the historic Brexit vote loomed on Tuesday night, the News asked its readers in a snap online poll what they thought was the best option for dealing with the Brexit deadlock.
Faced with the choices of backing May’s deal, supporting a ‘People’s Vote’ and going for a No Deal Brexit, just over half our readers backed a People’s Vote.
However, a sizeable proportion would support a No Deal Brexit, with just over a third of our readers backing that option in our poll.
The remaining 12% said they would back May’s negotiated deal – the most unpopular option of the three.
Nearly three quarters of voters in Southwark – 72.3% – backed remain in the 2016 referendum.
The government has since survived a no-confidence vote after its Brexit deal suffered the worst defeat in modern political history.
Theresa May is currently hosting talks with opposition parties to seek a way out of the Brexit impasse – but talks have been boycotted by Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn who wants Mrs May to rule out a No Deal Brexit.
All three of the borough MPs voted the deal down.
The UK is due to leave the European Union on March 29 – but the government’s heavy defeat has raised the prospect of Article 50 being extended, meaning Brexit could be delayed.
WHERE Southwark’S MPs STAND ON BREXIT:
Neil Coyle MP – Bermondsey and Old Southwark
The outspoken Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP has often criticised his party’s line on Brexit, publicly backing a ‘People’s Vote’ and campaigning to stay in the EU.
Speaking in the five-day Parliamentary debate on the Withdrawal Agreement ahead of Tuesday’s vote, Mr Coyle said: “Sadly, I have already seen damage in my community since the referendum. I have even shown constituents around this place [Parliament]—most recently Aaron – who have been laid off as a consequence of the result.
“Locally, not one sector or employer has said anything would get better if the Government won the vote on Tuesday.”
He has criticised Mrs May’s proposals as a ‘Hobson’s choice’ and has said that if Brexit does happen, the UK should be a member of the European Economic Area (EEA).
Harriet Harman MP – Peckham and Camberwell
Ms Harman, the long-serving MP for Camberwell & Peckham has also expressed disappointment with May’s deal.
On Tuesday evening the MP – who is the longest ever continuously serving female MP in the Commons – tweeted: “To 1,000s my constituents who’ve emailed re: #BrexitVote – I will vote No to PM deal. Bad for econ, security, climate, rights.
“Then all options including #PeoplesVoteNow. No to #NoDealBrexit.”
Separately the MP also raised a point-of-order about proxy voting, after heavily pregnant Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, had to delay her caesarean to vote on May’s deal.
Ms Harman said: “She should not have to choose between going through the Division Lobby in a wheelchair while nine months pregnant, having postponed her caesarean, and losing her right to vote.”
Helen Hayes MP – Dulwich and West Norwood
Helen Hayes has also called for a ‘People’s Vote’ on the Withdrawal Agreement, with a choice between Theresa May’s deal and remaining in the European Union.
She has long pledged to vote down Theresa May’s deal and has also vowed to vote for an amendment which would rule out a no deal Brexit.
Writing a summary of her position to constituents in December, MP said: “The distress amongst residents of Dulwich and West Norwood about Brexit is largely undiminished from 24 June 2016.
“I still receive letters and emails every single day from constituents who are profoundly concerned and anxious about Brexit; including from a majority of constituents who simply want the UK to stay in the EU.”
She has also called the deal “fundamentally unstable” and has argued that Theresa May should resign and call a general election if she cannot get her deal through Parliament.