UK's House of Lords votes against second Brexit referendum

UK's House of Lords has voted against a second Brexit referendum by a clear majority.

The Upper House voted 336 against a second quit-the-EU ballot, versus 131 in favour.

It is presently debating Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit Bill, which if passed into law would provide the legal basis for triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treat.

The bill has already passed through Parliament without amendment, although Lords last week attached one over the rights of EU nationals living in UK.

This was the result of the Brexit vote last year, which has polarised the country along remain and leave lines.

It has also seen sterling plumb embarrassing depths against a raft of other currencies, sending inflation higher and hurting the disposable income of ordinary working people.

The prospect of a so-called hard Brexit potentially damaging to the UK economy in both the short and long terms has sent fears rippling through business, political and community circles, regardless of political allegiance.