I blame Cameron. He was far too complacent. He promised a referendum to appease his right wing and take the sting out of UKIP. He gambled the future of the country, for political reasons, in order to win an election.
Well he won the election and instead being able to blame the LibDems for stopping him in their coalition he had to go ahead and do it. It cost him his job (not that he’s bothered – he’s earning a bomb – didn’t have a lot to lose did he?) and he’s sold us down the river.
Not enough thought went in to devising the referendum. It was too important to hinge on narrow margins. There should have been a clear 5% at least.
It was always known that constitutionally a referendum is not binding – it is advisory – it is our sovereign parliament that decides. That should have been made a lot clearer.
Not enough consideration went in to what happens with separate nations. Scotland and Northern Ireland had big majorities to remain. How are their democratic rights going to be addressed?
Some attention should have been given on the form to the reasons for the vote – a simple tick-box?
There should have been more accountability and scrutiny from the media when the lies and false claims were trotted out.
I hope the Brexiteers are going to accept responsibility for Britain’s future economic decline? I doubt it. But it will cost all the poor dearly though I’m sure the rich won’t suffer. The cost of Brexit will be measured in tens of billions (Treasure figures – £220 billion has been mentioned). It will be public servants and the poor who will suffer the cuts and increased prices.
So now we have had it proved in law that the way May has been handling it is illegal. We have sovereignty in this country and it resides in Westminster. The elected MPs must debate and vote.
I would love to think that they might look at the mess and decide, for the sake of our grandchildren, that this suicide note needs kicking in to touch. But as a person who believes in democracy we have to abide by the will of the people – no matter how misguided, dangerous and costly. The job now is to sort the best way of going. That is what needs to be debated. We have to agree the best tactics to make the best out of a bad deal. That is what May was refusing to do. She wanted to impose her own view.
I want the best terms that protect the environment, human rights, workers rights, residencies for established workers and secure the best economic outcome for all of us. It can never be as good as it would have been but it does not have to be a disaster. That would only happen if arrogant snobs like Reese-Mogg and pompous right-wingers like David Davies, Liam Fox and Michael Gove get their way.
Of course, having an unelected government is not a good start – particularly such a right wing one intent on power and tyranny. Thank heavens the judges have told them that they are behaving unconstitutionally.
Perhaps the first step should be to hold a general election and gain a mandate?
Then we need to thoroughly debate the best tactics for leaving and agree what sort of Brexit we want.
One thing is certain – the country is in a mess and we are going to pay.