Inverclyde's MP says a so-called 'people's vote' must take place now to break the current Brexit deadlock

The SNP's Ronnie Cowan believes a so-called 'people's vote' must take place now to break the current Brexit deadlock in parliament.

But he also says he understands the view of Scots who voted to leave the UK in 2014 and also depart the EU in 2016.

Mr Cowan said: "I get the argument.

"If that is what the people of Scotland want, then that is what they have the right to cast their voice on.

"But we would have to make sure in that particular EU referendum that we are absolutely clear on what we are voting for."

The SNP man lambasted the chaos which currently reigns at Westminster and argued that it was borne out of an 'idealistic' Leave campaign in which 'overly simplistic' views were taken on such an important and complex matter.

Mr Cowan said: "A people's vote with the UK has to take place now.

"I think the second time round people will be more pragmatic about it.

"I can see how at a simplistic level a people's vote would be seen as anti-democratic in terms of the 2016 referendum result.

"But look, we live in a parliamentary democracy where you elected MPs to work on your behalf.

"That is precisely what the SNP has done and we've scrutinised this to a level where the detail, we believe, should be put in front of the people of the United Kingdom."

Asked if another general election would help solve the saga, Mr Cowan, who holds a majority of just 384, said: "Does anyone want a general election right now, is the question.

"If a general election gets called I am absolutely completely confident the SNP vote would go up in Inverclyde and throughout Scotland.

"I would be content to launch into another general election — it holds no fears for me whatsoever.

"Would it help Brexit negotiations?

"No, I don't think that is the solution to this current problem."

Mr Cowan said: "When the EU referendum was put in front of people it was made into a very simple argument.

"Now people are realising how complex it is."

On the implications of Brexit for Inverclyde, he said: "I worry for every single company that relies on exporting, purchasing components or ingredients from abroad, or from EU countries.

"I'm concerned about them being able to source the workforce they require, and that extends into our NHS, our caring provision and more."

Asked if he thought Theresa May's deal would be passed by parliament at the third time of asking next week, given apparent movement from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and the European Research Group (ERG) of hardline Tory Brexiteers, Mr Cowan replied: "You would have to be in the mindset of the DUP and the ERG and that is a dark, dark place that I'm not prepared to go.

"The ERG is now obviously split now and I think three strikes and you're out."

Mr Cowan insisted that a second independence referendum is more likely as a result of the parliamentary paralysis in London.

He said: "The more people look at Westminster the more they will say, 'I didn't realise how poorly run it is down there'.

"Remember the slogans 'strong and stable', 'taking back control'?

"Where is the strength and stability of being part of the UK?

"Where is the control?"

Asked about the economic difficulties highlighted by Brexit and Scotland potentially voting to become independent from its largest trading partner, England, Mr Cowan said: "Why would they not trade with us? It's a two-way thing.

"This idea that we leave the UK and England will put up a Trumpian-type wall is ludicrous.

"We want to trade with them and they want to trade with us.

"That is why the EU is such a good thing.

"It would be to England's benefit to trade with Scotland."

Asked what he would do if it came down to a choice between Theresa May's deal or crashing out of the EU without a deal, Mr Cowan replied: "We voted against the deal already, and we voted against no deal."

He added: "I cannot believe that we are now two weeks away now, and we're still in the situation we are now.

"We should now be looking at the detail of the detail, and we have not agreed anything at all."

Mr Cowan added: "She (May) should have gone to the devolved powers and brought them with her.

"She didn't.

"That's when relationships fell apart, in fact the relationship never started with Scotland, Wales.

"We would have worked with her to find the best possible outcome for us all."