THAT vote back in 2016 gave us no idea of the kind of final deal we could end up with. It amounted to a huge leap into the unknown cajoled by bluster and misinformation. The whole referendum was ill-conceived and a poorly thought through attempt by David Cameron to shoot the Ukip Fox.

Leading up to it, the conduct from both sides left much to be desired, although the antics from the 'Leave' campaigns spring most readily to mind. Who can forget that false declaration on the red bus?

Too much is at stake for all of us. It would be unrealistic to suppose that large numbers were not influenced on the basis of those games played out in 2016.

So, whether our sympathies have changed or not over the past three years, we the people must be offered the chance to ratify, or otherwise, whatever compromised muddle is finally presented.

In the disinfecting light of what we now know about the true implications of one decision or another and all Brexit options are very likely to leave us financially worse off, it would not be a 'betrayal of democracy' to hand the baton back to us to break this paralysis of Cameron's making.

If enough people go with whatever Brexit deal, so be it, at least the decision this time would be better informed.

Trevor Pollard

Newby Bridge