Aberdeen councillors have been asked to support another vote on leaving the EU.
Liberal Democrat group leader Ian Yuill has forwarded a motion to next Monday’s meeting of the full council which, if accepted, would mean the authority’s chief executive Angela Scott writing to the city’s MPs, MSPs and MEPs calling on them to support a so-called “people’s vote”.
The Scottish Parliament has also backed a similar motion with a “substantial vote” on Theresa May’s deal expected at Westminster on Tuesday.
However the debate at the town house may split administration allies Aberdeen Labour and the Conservatives.
While the Tories will vote against the motion, an Aberdeen Labour source said the group had yet to come to a decision – although some members, including Lord Provost Barney Crockett and transport spokesman Ross Grant and Sarah Duncan have already stated their opposition to Brexit.
It is expected that the heavily pro-European SNP group will vote with the Liberal Democrats.
Mr Yuill said he would call for a three-way vote between Mrs May’s deal, no deal and remaining in the EU and pointed out that 61% of Aberdonians voted to remain in the union.
He said: “A lot of people now see that we were promised a Brexit that wasn’t actually possible and it seems that parliament isn’t going to support Theresa May’s deal so it seems the sensible solution is a people’s vote.
“There is a growing demand across the country with hundreds of thousands marching in support and the council should add its voice.”
When quizzed what his reaction would be if such a vote was held and the result remained to leave the EU, he answered: “I would support the result of the referendum.
“If people back Brexit again knowing all the facts, while I may not agree with them, I would accept that.
“The problem with the first referendum was that people thought we could have our cake and eat it.”
Conservative Alan Donnelly said: “We had a people’s vote in 2016 – it was people voting then, not dogs and cats – so the whole term is just a slogan.
“People and businesses are tired of the uncertainty. I think people would now vote more heavily to leave than in 2016.
“If we don’t follow the will of the British people, then we will undermine democracy in our country.”
