Gordon Brown calls for year-long Brexit delay to avoid 'impending national disaster'

Former Labour leader says MPs should listen to public's views on proposals through 'citizen's consultation'

Former prime minister Gordon Brown says Brexit should be delayed for a year to “consult” voters and prevent an “impending national disaster”.

The ex-Labour leader said the Article 50 negotiating period should be extended to allow MPs to listen to the public’s views on the current Brexit proposals through a “citizen’s consultation”.

Speaking just 22 days before Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union, he said: “The logic of extending Article 50 is now inescapable to avoid chaos on 29 March and prevent an impending national political disaster.”

Mr Brown claimed the “ill-thought-out” approach to Brexit had left the economy “drastically ill-prepared”.

He added: “Decades from now a new generation will look back with stunned disbelief at the way the Brexit debate has been conducted so far.”

Mr Brown’s call for a delay is part of a concerted effort involving business leaders, union chiefs, community representatives and senior politicians.

Prime minister Theresa May has promised MPs a vote on calling for an extension to Article 50 if they reject her withdrawal agreement and a no-deal Brexit in crunch votes next week.

But she has suggested that any extension must be short, in part to avoid the UK taking part in European elections which will see newly-elected MEPs take their seats in July.

Mr Brown said it was “near impossible” to pass the legislation required for Brexit by 29 March, and that a short extension would not allow enough time for a considered assessment of the options available to the UK.

He also claimed there was support in Europe for an extension.

He said: “Leaders agree with their chief negotiator Michel Barnier that an extension has ‘become almost inevitable’ and that they have to try to overcome the technical difficulties of British participation in the European elections and ensure an extension substantially longer than three months.

“It is now clear that Article 50 should be extended, perhaps for a year, not as a delaying tactic or just for MPs to rerun the old arguments in the Westminster bubble, but for a positive purpose – to allow Parliament to reflect – and to begin to bring the country together again.”

Mr Brown said the citizens’ consultation should cover issues including immigration and sovereignty and the “options available across Europe and for us of addressing these”.

He added: “Brexit must be delayed long enough for us to reach proper decisions and restore the nation’s hope and its pride.”