It is an interesting and frustrating time in British politics. I have yelled at the TV and radio for three years now and so needed a way to simplify things for myself.
If A=B and B=C, it is clear that A=C. Yes?
Let’s replace the unknowns with some knowns:
A= democracy
B= people having their say
C= referendum
Does that not mean?
A democracy is people having their say;
People having their say means a referendum;
And thus, a referendum is a democracy?
Millions have lost their lives fighting for democracy over the centuries, and yet now our politicians believe their view is more valid and more democratic than that of the people, especially after the majority of the country voted to leave the European Union.
Some points I have pondered:
- Both sides of the House of Commons agreed to fulfil the referendum results
- The electorate was told that the referendum was ‘once in a lifetime’ and that we had to be clear about what it is we wanted when we put that cross on the ballot paper
- The electorate was told over and over again that ‘out means out’. It was clear that ‘out’ was not half in, half out, or remain in certain areas of the Union.
I voted to remain in the European Union and was very sad with the result, but as a scholar of politics, I feel passionately about democracy. I know democracy is not perfect, but it is all we have, to paraphrase the great Winston Churchill. This is what we have to protect AT ALL COSTS, just as those in Hong Kong are doing right now.
Firstly, let’s have some respect for the process and the result of our democratic vote.
Secondly, let’s have faith that Britain really is great, that we have the capacity to continue to do amazing things here and abroad, and with inspired energy we can stand on our own as we did for centuries before the European Union.
Thirdly, we will survive. The sky won’t fall in. We might have some temporary disruption as things are ‘ironed out’ but we will still be able to travel out of the country, we will have food and medicines, we will even be able to work and study abroad (there are millions of Americans living, working and studying in Europe, and they never were in the EU). Why would any of that change?
Let’s get on with Brexit, so we can get on with being GREAT Britain!
P.S. This is just the withdrawal agreement. Once we withdraw, we can start the negotiations to chat about trade, movement of people etc. This will take about two years, so nothing will be sudden, nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, and overall – WE WILL BE FINE!
4th September 2019
Life is about ‘staying in our own lane’
