The chances of a second referendum are on the rise. Although the barriers to one actually happening remain considerable, that the prospects for Theresa May’s deal passing Parliament are so low means that all the other alternatives – including no deal – are becoming more likely.
Tony Blair gave an airing to an argument that some Remainers, and perhaps the official campaign, will seek to make in the next referendum whenever it happens: that the free movement of people can be reformed within the European Union. Some will talk about the existing powers to limit the right of movement that already exist, such as restricting access to social security, or deporting the long-term jobless to their country of origin, or through the introduction of ID cards. Others, as Blair did today, will hold out the possibility that the right of free movement might itself be curtailed, as the other 27 nations of the European Union have their own domestic concerns about migration to address as well.
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