So why have a vote in the first place if they are going to ignore it??
We had the vote in order to settle the internal squabbles within the Tory party. I don't think David Cameron ever really contemplated the possibility that people would vote leave because it was so clearly in the national interest to remain. What he failed to realise is that the electorate did not have the knowledge or understanding to be able to make that decision. The whole thing was a massively irresponsible political game that horribly backfired. And now we will all have to deal with the consequences.
As for the MPs, if they were really willing to do "anything" to stop Brexit, they could have done it long ago. Collectively, they have the power to reverse Brexit whenever they like, as the referendum was not legally binding. However, they have tried for the last two and a half years to find a way through the horrendous situation that they find themselves in. As democrats, they feel obliged to implement the outcome of the referendum, but as public servants, they also have a duty to avert a national catastrophe if at all possible. Does democracy trump all other concerns? Should our politicians lead us into a state of national crisis because that's what the people voted for? Going for no deal would be a disaster, and many MPs are unwilling to have that on their conscience.
It's a tough one. Do you go ahead with Christmas because that's what the turkeys have voted for, or do you try to protect the turkeys from their own poor decision-making? Most MPs will probably try to find a compromise whereby we have some sort of Christmas but the turkeys don't get eaten - the vegetarian option if you like.
Of course, there are some unscrupulous MPs on both sides of the debate who couldn't care less about what happens to their constituents, and are just in it for themselves. The Boris Johnsons of the world. However, I do believe that they are the minority, and that most MPs are genuinely trying to do what they think is right in an impossible situation.