IT is surely time for the people to take over this Brexit shambles.

The UK Government has had almost three years to reach a settlement but has completely failed and turned the country into a laughing stock.

So, here’s a solution. We have another vote, but with a difference.

Theresa May has negotiated a deal with the European Union. It is the only agreement anyone has reached in this whole sorry episode and the EU said they won’t re-open negotiations.

If our 650 MPs can’t approve it, or come up with an alternative, then they need to step aside and put the deal to the people in a confirmatory vote. 

The alternative to the deal is to remain in the European Union.

On the ballot paper “Theresa May’s deal or Remain”. Take your pick.

But we shouldn’t have a referendum as we know it. 

No, this has been a political failure of epic proportions so let’s have a referendum free from the interference of politicians, campaigners and vested interests.

Mrs May should seek an extension on the Brexit date to allow her to call the referendum for two weeks today.

Shut down the Westminster Parliament and Holyrood for the two weeks and put a ban on politicians appearing on TV or radio, in newspapers, on social media or from knocking on any door in the country – unless it’s their own and they have forgotten their key.

Even then, I’m not sure some of them would be welcome.

In short, send them all away on an all-inclusive holiday. I’ve often wondered what happens to the I’m a Celebrity jungle camp the rest of the year.

For those who are sensible, hard-working, honest, decent men and women, and there are

many, I apologise, but it is for your own good and the good of the country.

Let's recap.

First we had the big name resignations, Boris Johnson and David Davis, and a handful of others last summer opposed to the Chequers deal.

Then later that year there was more, including Esther McVey and Dominic Rabb over the withdrawal agreement.

This year the resignations continue with people who are so unknown they are not even the most well know person in their own house. 

I mean who is Steve Brine? Or Chris Heaton-Harris, anyone?

No, didn’t think so.

The political parties aren’t much better either. Within Labour and the Tories there are factions sticking dogmatically to the outcome they want.

And the SNP, who are at least more united, seem stuck on repeat with the message Scotland is being ignored and we will have our say.

The big idea from the backbenches was taking over the business of the house to debate all the possible options the Government wouldn’t consider to find what would command a majority.

Eight options proposed and not one of them could get the support of half of the MPs it needed to pass.

Then we had days of each party or group within a party shouting at the others “if only you voted with us we would have had a majority”.

Well, yes. And if you voted with them, they would have had a majority. But you didn’t and they didn’t and so we are still in an almighty mess hurtling towards no deal Brexit.

The politicians have had years to sort this out. Let the people decide.

Let’s have a snap referendum with no campaign. Set a date, impose a media blackout on politics because, well, some of the media have been just as bad, worse even, than some of the politicians.

The public have heard nothing but Brexit since David Dimbleby announced the result on TV early in the morning on June 24 2016.

People have had enough. 

It might sound like a bonkers idea, a referendum with no politicians, but is it any more crackers than what we have been witnessing?

We have had the campaign. Politicians have been arguing over this for years.

We have heard all there is to hear from them.

Referendum. Then a General Election.