So here we are, heading to Brexit, then the court says – wrong way, then there is an appeal, then the people look set to march on the courts. I wrote to the cabinet office before the referendum because I was a little confused about the referendum question – and they have answered 4 months later effectively saying they are still trying to work that out.
What on earth is going on? This isn’t healthy for our country.
I’ve been talking to people on both sides and one thing struck me – everybody feels passionate about democracy and is fighting because they feel their voice is being ignored. It’s the one thing that seems to cover the majority of us, BeLeavers and Remainers together. And perhaps that’s what lies behind Trumpsit as well – it certainly seems like a factor.
So can we agree to differ on our views – but together stand up for our voices being heard?
We have had a referendum, and the majority voted to leave Europe. But not a big majority. However the result applies to us all. It’s not just those that voted to leave that are going to leave, it’s those that voted to stay and those that didn’t vote. So how do we work for a Brexit deal that takes all of our views in to account? Brexit for all and not just for the few.
I’ll start with a simple analogy. I have a problem with the roof over my garage and need it repaired. I could climb up there and do it, but I don’t like heights, and lets face it – my DIY skills are okay – but a fair bit short of professional. So I want an expert. Well, there is a hospital just up the road, I could ask one of the surgeons to come and do the work, but that might end up with a worse repair than I could do. I really need a roofer. I need the right person for the job.
So who are the right people that can take the result of the referendum and turn it into a strategy for the country? Is it really Boris with his secret plan? And remember it’s a strategy for all of the country, not just those that voted to leave (but it certainly needs to take into account the result of the referendum – that’s why we had it). We need a bunch of people that can represent us all – some that Remoan, and some that BeLeave (and maybe some that really don’t care).
Why can’t that be the bunch we call parliament? I mean, isn’t that the job they are supposed to be good at – putting different views to each other and coming up with an answer for the whole country? I know our political system and out press sometimes makes them look like buffoons, but having met several I can assure you they are not nearly as dumb as they are made to look. Surely they are the right experts for this job, and we hired them for it when we voted for them.
And you know – if I trusted my representative to speak up for me I think I would be happy for the plans to be secret. But one thing I have noticed is that both sides feel skeptical about the secret plans – because we all feel they are not representing us – both sides!
Isn’t it time parliament were told to get on with it? Isn’t it time we made our voices heard to our representatives and told them to get off their backsides and represent us in deciding how we move forward TOGETHER?
And a postscript to save Remoaners and BeLeavers starting to argue that they are right:
For those of you that think the referendum was binding and is all you need then go have a look at the brief to parliament that was issued to explain the law. Look at section 5.
And for those of you that think parliament will over-rule the referendum result go have a look at section 6 of the same document.