"The will of the British People" is trotted out as though it is a static thing. People, when given real facts, real information, are free to change their minds, or not, of course.
The great Athenian Historian Thucydides gives an account where his fellow Athenians have decided to destroy an enemy City, their first Referendum, if you like, he then says that they decided good arguments were given on both sides, maybe more knowledge had been obtained? so they Debated the issue again, the second Referendum, if you like. They decided NOT to destroy the City, and then he makes a pertinent remark we should all take not of, he says, " If we cannot change our minds, then it is not Democracy". (See Book Three of his History)