I do feel the need to point out that we had a referendum. Everything else applies to everything the government does, but Brexit was technically one of the most democratic decisions the UK has made, actually giving people a vote instead of having someone choose on their behalf.
A referendum on a hypothetical “should” with no terms or conditions agreed. “Soft” Brexit? “Hard” Brexit? Something in the middle? Good Friday agreement? None of that was hashed out.
If there were a second referendum after negotiations, saying “based upon the terms agreed with the EU should the UK leave the EU?” then perhaps I may agree.
But without that there’s bugger all democratic about the process.
You misunderstand me: Brexit is not an example of good democracy, but the bar is so low that one single vote on a hypothetical with no established aim is still more democratic than any other decision our government makes. All the stuff about governments without majorities and unelected chambers still applies to all their other decisions, but don’t even have a single public vote to back them up. It is less democratic.
I do feel the need to point out that we had a referendum. Everything else applies to everything the government does, but Brexit was technically one of the most democratic decisions the UK has made, actually giving people a vote instead of having someone choose on their behalf.
A referendum on a hypothetical “should” with no terms or conditions agreed. “Soft” Brexit? “Hard” Brexit? Something in the middle? Good Friday agreement? None of that was hashed out.
If there were a second referendum after negotiations, saying “based upon the terms agreed with the EU should the UK leave the EU?” then perhaps I may agree.
But without that there’s bugger all democratic about the process.
You misunderstand me: Brexit is not an example of good democracy, but the bar is so low that one single vote on a hypothetical with no established aim is still more democratic than any other decision our government makes. All the stuff about governments without majorities and unelected chambers still applies to all their other decisions, but don’t even have a single public vote to back them up. It is less democratic.