• THE quote of the month must be Donald Tusk’s: “….. I’ve been wondering what the special place in Hell looks like for those who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan of how to carry it out safely”.

What got less coverage was his further remark that: “Today, there is no political force and no effective leadership for remain”.

Normally we would look to elder statesmen for a lead but in both parties and among the public they are discredited.

Both parties have groups that want to stop Brexit but they are viewed as disloyal by colleagues and party members.

The recent correspondence arising from the people’s vote wrap around questions whether New Labour hacks are hijacking remain in pursuit of a party agenda.

Remain is a single issue; support crosses party loyalties and should be clearly seen as bipartisan. This means that political force and effective “leadership” must come from beyond the usual party ranks.

There’s a whole host of groups campaigning against Brexit but I particularly like the way in which “Our Future Our Choice” and “B****x to Brexit” are vigorously making young people’s case for remain.

But can party leaders, whose job it is to ask for our votes, really tell us that we got it wrong?

The Scots Nats can call for another vote because Scotland voted remain; the Democratic Unionist Party ought to because Northern Ireland voted remain.

In England and Wales it is up to backbenchers and those outside parliament.

I can call for another vote but, without an overwhelming swing in popular opinion, I don’t see how Jeremy Corbyn can.

That swing seems to be happening with a YouGov poll reporting that remain is now at 56 per cent.

Paradoxically, support for a second vote comes from Jacob Rees-Mogg who said in 2011 “We could have two referendums.

As it happens, it might make more sense to have the second referendum after the renegotiation is completed”. We’ve had Theresa May’s renegotiation. What are we waiting for?

RICHARD ROSSER
Address supplied