Does the Brexit extension make a second referendum more likely?
Brexit Explained: The mandate from the 2016 vote is increasingly open to question as time passes and more new facts emerge about what leaving the EU really means
The European Union’s decision at its Brussels summit to delay Brexit until 31 October has made a Final Say referendum more likely for two reasons.
Technically, the period of extra time could be long enough to stage a public vote. Six months is regarded as the minimum amount of time needed for parliament to pass the necessary legislation, for the Electoral Commission to assess the precise question or questions, and for a campaign lasting at least 10 weeks.
In practice it might take longer, as the legislation would probably prove controversial. However, if preparations ran beyond 31 October, the 27 EU leaders would almost certainly agree to another extension to allow a Final Say vote to take place.
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