> He is saying a second referendum could show the politicians who have been pushing for a soft brexit recently that this is really what the British public want.
What does the word "this" refer to in the sentence above? A yes/no referendum on Brexit will not show the politicians whether the public want a soft or a hard Brexit.
The problem is you can't have a multiple choice referendum because it would split the leave vote. For example:
A. "Hard" Brexit
B. "Soft" Brexit
C. No Brexit
Brexitors would be somewhat split between A and B, and all remainers would pick C.
However, based on polling data it would suggest most people in favour of Brexit do want a "hard" Brexit, or a brexit that would give the UK control over its own trade and immigration policy.
What does the word "this" refer to in the sentence above? A yes/no referendum on Brexit will not show the politicians whether the public want a soft or a hard Brexit.