Friends

I'm running the Berlin marathon on Sunday 16 September to raise money for the People's Vote campaign. Please help!

The People's Vote campaign wants the government's Brexit deal to be put before the country in a public vote, so that we can all decide if a decision that will affect our lives for generations makes the country better or worse off - once it is clear what that decision really involves. The campaign is backed by a wide range of organisations, has support from MPs from all the main parties, and has seen a huge surge in support as the prospect of a bad deal (or no deal) increases.

There are many practical and political problems in organising a referendum on the final Brexit deal (or the prospect of no deal). But they are easier to solve than the problems implementing Brexit throws up.

As my Facebook friends may remember, I have been arguing for this since 25 June 2016. I believe the evidence is clear that Britain leaving the EU will be bad for most British people, particularly younger people, those in less secure employment, and those in the poorer parts of our country.

But the argument for a People's Vote is not primarily one about Remoaners having another go at a result they didn't like first time around. It is also one about democracy working properly. I respect the opinions of most of the 18 million people who voted Leave in 2016. But a combination of problems with our constitution and our party system, and the lies and false promises that were told (by both sides) in the 2016 referendum campaign, mean we need the electorate to take a fully informed decision when it is clear what they are being asked to decide on.

Your money will help pay for opinion polls (which are showing that support for a People's Vote is continuing to grow all across the country) and outreach to build support for proper public consideration of this momentous decision.

If you want to help, there are 5 things you can do:

- SIGN: The People's Vote petition is at https://www.peoples-vote.uk/petition

- DONATE: either through my site, or direct at https://www.peoples-vote.uk/crowdfunder

- MARCH: the next People's Vote in London is on Saturday 20th October...see https://www.peoples-vote.uk/march

- LOBBY: write to your MP telling them what you think about Brexit

- RECRUIT: persuade your friends to do one or more of the above.

This is the most important issue facing our country. When my children ask me what I did to safeguard their future, I want to be able to tell them "all I could".

Alistair