Pressure is growing on Labour to back calls for a people’s vote on Brexit. With the controversial Chequers plan seemingly a non-starter for the EU, SAM FERGUSON reports on what Brexit looks like with six months to go

IT is a truth universally acknowledged that Brexit means Brexit.

Or rather, with six months to go until the UK bows out of the European Union, Brexit means breath-taking uncertainty.

The latest spanner was thrown through the windows of the Tory Brexit bus last week after European Council President Donald Tusk dismissed Theresa May’s Chequers plan - for the UK and EU to share a “common rulebook” for goods, but not services.

So, as it stands, Brexit could mean anything from an acrimonious no-deal divorce, a last-minute Chequers-mate agreement, a peoples’ vote on the terms of the any final settlement, a second referendum or even, pray the 48 per cent, limping back to the EU with our collective tails between our legs and remaining.

With the Labour party conference in full swing more than 100 constituency parties submitted motions demanding a second referendum and thousands of people joined a march calling for a so-called People’s Vote in order to put pressure on Jeremy Corbyn and the party to change course.

But the exact wording of the motion to be put to a vote at the party’s conference today states only that “if we cannot get a general election, Labour must support all options remaining on the table, including campaigning for a public vote”.

Remainer hopes for a reverse-Brexit miracle were also dealt a blow on Monday morning, when shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the “real people’s vote” would be a general election.

And he indicated that even if the decision on the EU was put to the public in a referendum, the choice would be between accepting a deal or returning to the negotiating table rather than the option of remaining inside the bloc.

So what do Gwent politicians make of it all? We asked every AM, MP and council leader for their thoughts on a people’s vote.

This is who got back to us with their views.

Torfaen Labour MP Nick Thomas-Symonds said he thought all options should be left open in teh case of a no-deal scenario.

“ I respect the outcome of the referendum in 2016,” he said.

“Whether you voted to leave or to remain, the Government’s failure to negotiate effectively is very worrying for jobs and prosperity in Torfaen.

“I will judge any deal the PM reaches on the basis of what is best for Torfaen. Labour has been clear that its “six tests” have to be passed for the deal to be supported.

“Should we reach the calamitous situation of “No Deal” then I believe Parliament should determine the next steps, with all options open.”

Monmouth Conservative AM Nicholas Ramsey, spoke against a second referendum, despite representing a constituency where the majority voted to remain.

He said: “I don’t think a second referendum would be either advisable or helpful at this point.

“Although it’s true that a majority in Monmouthshire voted to remain in the EU, we have to recognise that the UK as a whole voted to leave. This was always going to be a challenging period.

“All our efforts should now be concentrated on securing the best possible deal for our country when we leave next March.”

Cllr Dave Poole, the Labour leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, suggested he would be open for a second referendum.

“My view on Brexit is clear – I want what is best for this authority and what is best for the residents of the Caerphilly county borough,” he said.

“These considerations are of utmost importance and we need clarity, transparency and direction from the UK government so that we have a better understanding of the implications and impact of leaving the European Union.

“Until this position is made clear, I believe we need to keep our options open about the possibility of a second referendum.”

Blaenau Gwent Labour MP Nick Smith kept his cards close to his chest, but said a credible plan was needed quickly.

“We need a Brexit deal that protects jobs, our economy and avoids a hard border in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“As the last few weeks have made extremely clear though, the Prime Minister’s plans just can’t deliver this.

“She now has to come up with a credible plan that does – and fast.”

Newport West Labour MP Paul Flynn, an outspoken critic of Brexit, spoke of the importance of a people’s vote.

He said: “The referendum was an uninformed choice between Operation Fear and Operation Lies. I said so at the time. The awful truth is being revealed horror by horror, day by day. Before we jump into a Brexit sinkhole of economic chaos, it’s time for second thoughts.”

“The illegal overspend of the leave campaign, the influence of Cambridge Analytica and the prevailing air of chaos, make a meaningful People’s Vote even more important.”

The Labour leader of Torfaen Council, Cllr Anthony Hunt suggested there was a strong case for a second vote.

“I’m deeply concerned that Brexit could have a negative impact on local jobs and services, especially as the Government seem unable to negotiate a deal,” he said.

“It now seems the interests of a few Tory MPs are holding more sway than the interests of millions of ordinary people in the UK, and that is just unacceptable.

“It seems logical that if the reality of Brexit is something totally different to what people thought were voting for in 2016, there’s a strong case for a second vote. Put simply, if you make an offer to buy a house and then the survey threw up all sorts of unexpected issues and costs, you might reconsider your position. The referendum on leaving the EU was borne to resolve an internal Tory party row and it seems that row has never concluded.”

Caerphilly Labour MP Wayne David said a general election could give a new sense of purpose and direction.

He said: “I am deeply concerned that Theresa May does not appear to be able to negotiate a good Brexit deal for the country. We are in an unprecedented situation and all options should remain on the table. A fresh referendum may help resolve the impasse we are now facing or a General Election could give us a new government and therefore a new sense of purpose and direction.”

Exactly how Britain should leave the EU has split the country, political parties and voters – almost as much as the initial referendum.

A second referendum on leaving the EU seems unlikely, with Labour unwilling to alienate their leave voting support bases, Corbyn’s party looks set to bank on Theresa May’s precarious position and insistence on an unpopular Chequers exit, to force a general election if and when a deal is voted down in the commons.

With Brexit not meaning the same Brexit to everyone, the only certainty is uncertainty, and that looks set to stay with us right up until March 2019.