A second referendum would be divisive but a price worth paying to prevent the "catastrophic damage" of a no-deal Brexit, Greater Manchester's mayor has said.
Andy Burnham said he would support a fresh vote only as a "last resort" to prevent the UK leaving the European Union with no agreement.
He said it could "widen" divisions and even "create social unrest".
The government said it was "confident of a mutually advantageous deal".
Speaking at Westminster, Mr Burnham argued if Parliament was heading towards a no-deal Brexit then the EU should be asked to postpone the March 2019 departure deadline to allow further negotiations.
If that fails and a deal acceptable to Parliament cannot be agreed between the UK and Brussels, a second referendum should be held, the former Labour cabinet minister said.
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