Brexit: would you change your vote.

Brexit: would you change your vote.

Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

55 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
glazbagun said:
fblm said:
Sf_Manta said:
...
Going to WTO rules means another 1.5 to 4 years minimum of austerity...
What austerity? UK government spending is up from 633bn in 2009 to 800bn in 2018.
Inflation calculator says that's a cut.
Just. Ok I'll give you that. How about this then; UK government spending still higher after 8 years of cuts than it was for almost the entire Blair decade...


Elysium

13,907 posts

188 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
gooner1 said:
Elysium said:
I agree. In response to the referendum our Govt has pursued Brexit and they have agreed terms with the EU under which we will leave on the 29th Mar 2019.

As you already know, but are pretending not to understand:

1. MP's (including staunch brexiteers) do not like May's deal.
2. People are now talking seriously about 'no-deal', which really means no-plan or Brexit in the stupidest way possible. I believe that most people and most MP's would see 'no-deal' as a failure, by Govt and against the leave voters. On that basis, I think that something needs to and will happen to avoid it.
3. Since the vote, a sizeable group of people (we don't know how many), find that they have greater insight into the issues and potential costs of Brexit than they did at the time of the vote. We also have new information, including confirmation that the leave campaign broke electoral law and the strong suggestion that social media in the run up to the vote was manipulated by a particular group of people, potentially backed by a foreign power.
4. Many people (at least 4 million based on the 2016 petition) felt that the terms of the original vote, with a simple majority required, did not provide a sufficient mandate to justify a step into the unknown if that could greatly damage our nations prosperity.

I am one of the people who thought that the simple majority approach provided a weak mandate for Brexit. However, I have reluctantly accepted that we intend to leave and I did not support a peoples vote when that campaign was launched.

The response from MP's and the public to Mays deal changes that. There is really very little wrong with it, but it has quickly become a political football and the potential of 'no-deal' is being used as a threat to coerce support.

I do not believe we should exit with no-deal, unless we have a robust mandate from the electorate confirming that they still want Brexit on those terms, even if that means the potential for extreme disruption and increased financial hardship.

I think there is plenty of rational, logical thought there. Enough to show that this view is not about 'disrespecting the vote' or 'voting again until we get the right answer'. I expect leavers to disagree, but I think it is absurd for them to pretend they don't understand these arguments.

In fact, I see the question in reverse. In an ideal world, why would we not go back to the people to have them ratify the final terms of our withdrawal from the EU?

I can only see one reason why leave voters dislike this idea. There is a risk that the mood really has changed and that they are no longer in the majority. I understand that risk, but that would be the democratic position.

Arguing that we should not consult the people because it would be undemocratic is, in my opinion, rank hypocrisy.


Edited by Elysium on Monday 24th December 10:13
To summarise, you think that ignoring a democratically reached decision
to hold another referendum because some people, and you're not sure of the numbers , may have changed their minds, is democrocy?

The rank hypocrisy is all yours, Eliesome. smile
A very poor summary, which fails to address the key points I set out.

How is it possible for a second referendum to ignore a democratically reached decision? The act of holding a second referendum does not in itself change our course. Like the 2016 referendum it would be advisory.

If the mandate is still to leave, then that is a democratic decision.

If the mandate has changed and the majority now want to remain, then that is still a democratic decision.

Democracy is continuous. When we have a change of Government following a general election we don't argue that the latest vote has 'ignored' the democratic decision of the previous one.

Your argument hinges on the idea that one vote is more important than another. That can only be because the vote you want honoured gets you something you want.

I am fine with that as a personal view, but I maintain that it is hypocritical to argue against a second referendum to 'defend democracy'.

As I am sure you know Jacob Rees Mogg agreed with me in 2011 when he proposed the following in Parliament:

JRM said:
It might make more sense to have the second referendum after the renegotiation is completed

anonymous-user

55 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
fouronthefloor said:
Ghibli said:
fouronthefloor said:
You seem to have misinterpreted my question. Do you think we should have a referendum based on May's deal or no deal?
It makes no difference what I think. It's now down to the MPs to make the decisions.
It makes a difference what everyone thinks. That's why we vote.
The reason I ask is that almost every post you make, tends to be a question. You then proceed to argue, actively misinterpret and twist what people have said.
I thought I'd ask a plain simple question in the hope that you could put YOUR view forward in a non-confrontational way.
Then everyone knows where you stand without any BS.
There is no vote to decide if we have another referendum, it makes no difference what people on this forum think about another referendum.

People only got one vote in the referendum yet many on this forum think that they now have some form of further say. It's up to the MPs now to make decisions for us.



turbobloke

104,147 posts

261 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
Elysium said:
I can only see one reason why leave voters dislike this idea. There is a risk that the mood really has changed and that they are no longer in the majority. I understand that risk, but that would be the democratic position.
AS a Leave voter I have no problem with another referendum as follows. We leave as per the mandate (real not imaginary) from the recent referendum, then see if there's an appetite for a referendum on re-applying. The Referedum Act did not specify any criteria based on turnout, margin, or deal. Nor on buyer's remorse if and where it exists. The result stands.

A change of mind is one of those things - never mind! General elections lead to governments that don't do what their manifesto says, and people may change their mind mid-term but the basis for a national mood swing in an opinion poll or two is never enough to trigger a new election even if there's more information available i.e. part(s) of the manifesto being set aside.

Claiming that demoncracy requires a re-run due to new information, or any other reason for some people changing their minds,is not justified. It's pure opportunism on the part of those who didn't get what they wanted the first time and will spin for all they're worth to get the decision overturned somehow, anyhow. At this stage it's wearing very thin and the excuse is transparently bogus; it's the way of the EU to stage manage re-runs until they get the result they wanted, but that's partly why some people want distance between the UK and the EU puppet masters.

Elysium

13,907 posts

188 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
gooner1 said:
Elysium said:
I believe that a 'first past the post' representative democracy is the best model. Our democracy has evolved over thousands of years, during which time all sorts of people have tried and failed to twist it to their advantage. It is imperfect, but the checks and balances that are built into the system mean that all people have representation.

You are suggesting that the majority interest has been left behind for 40 years, between the referendum on entering the EU and the 2016 referendum on leaving it. You have no evidence base for that. The majority wanted to join the EU 40 years ago. At some point that shifted in favour of leaving, but we don't know when. We also don't know if that is still the case.

You say that my opinions 'crumble under mild scrutiny'. I assume that means that you simply disagree with them, which is up to you. It does not mean that they are wrong.
The majority wanted to join the EU 40 years ago?
Really?
OK - to be more correct the majority wanted to join the European Community and the common market.

Over time membership arrangements for that organisation and it's name have changed and the majority no longer wanted to be members in Jun 2016.

This does not support the argument that 'the majority have been left behind for 40 years'.

Leicester Loyal

4,560 posts

123 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
Judging by the polls on websites, on here and reading opinions, it looks like hardly anyone who voted Leave has changed there mind. By contrast, there are very very few who voted to Remain and have now changed there mind. So another referdendum will be a waste of time and money, and will likely give a similar result again.

turbobloke

104,147 posts

261 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
Elysium said:
This does not support the argument that 'the majority have been left behind for 40 years'.
It will be interesting to hear the views of Remainers about a second referendum (on applying to rejoin) in 40 years' time,

It's fine by me fwiw.

bitchstewie

51,643 posts

211 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
turbobloke said:
AS a Leave voter I have no problem with another referendum as follows. We leave as per the mandate (real not imaginary) from the recent referendum, then see if there's an appetite for a referendum on re-applying. The Referedum Act did not specify any criteria based on turnout, margin, or deal. Nor on buyer's remorse if and where it exists. The result stands.

A change of mind is one of those things - never mind! General elections lead to governments that don't do what their manifesto says, and people may change their mind mid-term but the basis for a national mood swing in an opinion poll or two is never enough to trigger a new election even if there's more information available i.e. part(s) of the manifesto being set aside.

Claiming that demoncracy requires a re-run due to new information, or any other reason for some people changing their minds,is not justified. It's pure opportunism on the part of those who didn't get what they wanted the first time and will spin for all they're worth to get the decision overturned somehow, anyhow. At this stage it's wearing very thin and the excuse is transparently bogus; it's the way of the EU to stage manage re-runs until they get the result they wanted, but that's partly why some people want distance between the UK and the EU puppet masters.
I think I asked a little earlier on the thread, but I'm still struggling with how exactly it's wrong to ask someone who works at somewhere such as JLR whether or not, in the current climate, he or she still feels that they want the additional uncertainty that leaving the EU may bring.

They'd probably argue that quite a bit has changed for them in the last couple of years.

I can understand how people might feel it isn't respecting their vote in 2016, but I'm not sure telling someone else that they don't have the right to be change their mind is respecting them either.

B'stard Child

28,470 posts

247 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
Elysium said:
gooner1 said:
Elysium said:
I believe that a 'first past the post' representative democracy is the best model. Our democracy has evolved over thousands of years, during which time all sorts of people have tried and failed to twist it to their advantage. It is imperfect, but the checks and balances that are built into the system mean that all people have representation.

You are suggesting that the majority interest has been left behind for 40 years, between the referendum on entering the EU and the 2016 referendum on leaving it. You have no evidence base for that. The majority wanted to join the EU 40 years ago. At some point that shifted in favour of leaving, but we don't know when. We also don't know if that is still the case.

You say that my opinions 'crumble under mild scrutiny'. I assume that means that you simply disagree with them, which is up to you. It does not mean that they are wrong.
The majority wanted to join the EU 40 years ago?
Really?
OK - to be more correct the majority wanted to join the European Community and the common market.
No still wrong - the question was in 1975 (two years after the government had joined in 1973)

The referendum result was not legally binding; however, it was widely accepted that the vote would be the final say on the matter and would be politically binding on all future Westminster Parliaments. In a 1975 pamphlet Prime Minister Harold Wilson said: "I ask you to use your vote. For it is your vote that will now decide. The Government will accept your verdict." The pamphlet also said: "Now the time has come for you to decide. The Government will accept your decision—whichever way it goes."

Referendum Question said:
Do you think the United Kingdom should stay in the European Community (the Common Market)?
Choice was Yes or No

The majority accepted the governments action of joining - Do any of those assurances in bold ring any bells

Elysium said:
Over time membership arrangements for that organisation and it's name have changed and the majority no longer wanted to be members in Jun 2016.

This does not support the argument that 'the majority have been left behind for 40 years'.
Bit in Bold whatever the creep in scope it's pretty clear that the majority in 2016 didn't support continued membership

turbobloke

104,147 posts

261 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
bhstewie said:
turbobloke said:
AS a Leave voter I have no problem with another referendum as follows. We leave as per the mandate (real not imaginary) from the recent referendum, then see if there's an appetite for a referendum on re-applying. The Referedum Act did not specify any criteria based on turnout, margin, or deal. Nor on buyer's remorse if and where it exists. The result stands.

A change of mind is one of those things - never mind! General elections lead to governments that don't do what their manifesto says, and people may change their mind mid-term but the basis for a national mood swing in an opinion poll or two is never enough to trigger a new election even if there's more information available i.e. part(s) of the manifesto being set aside.

Claiming that demoncracy requires a re-run due to new information, or any other reason for some people changing their minds,is not justified. It's pure opportunism on the part of those who didn't get what they wanted the first time and will spin for all they're worth to get the decision overturned somehow, anyhow. At this stage it's wearing very thin and the excuse is transparently bogus; it's the way of the EU to stage manage re-runs until they get the result they wanted, but that's partly why some people want distance between the UK and the EU puppet masters.
I think I asked a little earlier on the thread, but I'm still struggling with how exactly it's wrong to ask someone who works at somewhere such as JLR whether or not, in the current climate, he or she still feels that they want the additional uncertainty that leaving the EU may bring.

They'd probably argue that quite a bit has changed for them in the last couple of years.

I can understand how people might feel it isn't respecting their vote in 2016, but I'm not sure telling someone else that they don't have the right to be change their mind is respecting them either.
I haven't said that they don't have a right to change their minds, but that doesn't generate a right to have a second vote now. Minds change all the time - if some people have changed their minds they didn't know that would happen when they voted, and indeed they don't know now but they may change it back again in a couple of years post-brexit so do we keep on having re-runs just because some people change their mind (answer: no). It's no way to proceed, I'd go so far as saying it's a daft way to proceed, and that's still in a spirit of respect for those who voted either way...but the vote has been held and the result is known.

Elysium

13,907 posts

188 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
B'stard Child said:
Elysium said:
gooner1 said:
Elysium said:
I believe that a 'first past the post' representative democracy is the best model. Our democracy has evolved over thousands of years, during which time all sorts of people have tried and failed to twist it to their advantage. It is imperfect, but the checks and balances that are built into the system mean that all people have representation.

You are suggesting that the majority interest has been left behind for 40 years, between the referendum on entering the EU and the 2016 referendum on leaving it. You have no evidence base for that. The majority wanted to join the EU 40 years ago. At some point that shifted in favour of leaving, but we don't know when. We also don't know if that is still the case.

You say that my opinions 'crumble under mild scrutiny'. I assume that means that you simply disagree with them, which is up to you. It does not mean that they are wrong.
The majority wanted to join the EU 40 years ago?
Really?
OK - to be more correct the majority wanted to join the European Community and the common market.
No still wrong - the question was in 1975 (two years after the government had joined in 1973)

The referendum result was not legally binding; however, it was widely accepted that the vote would be the final say on the matter and would be politically binding on all future Westminster Parliaments. In a 1975 pamphlet Prime Minister Harold Wilson said: "I ask you to use your vote. For it is your vote that will now decide. The Government will accept your verdict." The pamphlet also said: "Now the time has come for you to decide. The Government will accept your decision—whichever way it goes."

Referendum Question said:
Do you think the United Kingdom should stay in the European Community (the Common Market)?
Choice was Yes or No

The majority accepted the governments action of joining - Do any of those assurances in bold ring any bells

Elysium said:
Over time membership arrangements for that organisation and it's name have changed and the majority no longer wanted to be members in Jun 2016.

This does not support the argument that 'the majority have been left behind for 40 years'.
Bit in Bold whatever the creep in scope it's pretty clear that the majority in 2016 didn't support continued membership
The specific point I was countering was the suggestion that the the majority have been left behind for 40 years. Your clarifications regarding the 1975 referendum are fine, but they don’t change that core point. The majority in 2016 voted to leave and we are on course to do so in Mar 2019.

I have explained why I now support a second referendum and why I do not accept that is undemocratic.



Geoffrey 321

236 posts

67 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
gooner1 said:
Elysium said:
I believe that a 'first past the post' representative democracy is the best model. Our democracy has evolved over thousands of years, during which time all sorts of people have tried and failed to twist it to their advantage. It is imperfect, but the checks and balances that are built into the system mean that all people have representation.

You are suggesting that the majority interest has been left behind for 40 years, between the referendum on entering the EU and the 2016 referendum on leaving it. You have no evidence base for that. The majority wanted to join the EU 40 years ago. At some point that shifted in favour of leaving, but we don't know when. We also don't know if that is still the case.

You say that my opinions 'crumble under mild scrutiny'. I assume that means that you simply disagree with them, which is up to you. It does not mean that they are wrong.
The majority wanted to join the EU 40 years ago?
Really?
I voted to join the EU because then it was trading between nations which was a good idea, however if we'd have been informed the EU would make/implement our laws, we would have no say on migration etc etc I'm sure most would have voted to remain out of the EU--I know I would!!


Edited by Geoffrey 321 on Monday 24th December 15:05

alfie2244

11,292 posts

189 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
Geoffrey 321 said:
gooner1 said:
Elysium said:
I believe that a 'first past the post' representative democracy is the best model. Our democracy has evolved over thousands of years, during which time all sorts of people have tried and failed to twist it to their advantage. It is imperfect, but the checks and balances that are built into the system mean that all people have representation.

You are suggesting that the majority interest has been left behind for 40 years, between the referendum on entering the EU and the 2016 referendum on leaving it. You have no evidence base for that. The majority wanted to join the EU 40 years ago. At some point that shifted in favour of leaving, but we don't know when. We also don't know if that is still the case.

You say that my opinions 'crumble under mild scrutiny'. I assume that means that you simply disagree with them, which is up to you. It does not mean that they are wrong.
The majority wanted to join the EU 40 years ago?
Really?
I voted to join the EU because then it was trading between nations which was a good idea, however if we'd have been informed the EU would make/implement out laws, we would have no say on migration etc etc I'm sure most would have voted to remain out of the EU--I know I would!!
Sorry to be pedantic but you voted to stay in the EEC not join the EU.

B'stard Child

28,470 posts

247 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
Geoffrey 321 said:
gooner1 said:
Elysium said:
I believe that a 'first past the post' representative democracy is the best model. Our democracy has evolved over thousands of years, during which time all sorts of people have tried and failed to twist it to their advantage. It is imperfect, but the checks and balances that are built into the system mean that all people have representation.

You are suggesting that the majority interest has been left behind for 40 years, between the referendum on entering the EU and the 2016 referendum on leaving it. You have no evidence base for that. The majority wanted to join the EU 40 years ago. At some point that shifted in favour of leaving, but we don't know when. We also don't know if that is still the case.

You say that my opinions 'crumble under mild scrutiny'. I assume that means that you simply disagree with them, which is up to you. It does not mean that they are wrong.
The majority wanted to join the EU 40 years ago?
Really?
I voted to join the EU because then it was trading between nations which was a good idea, however if we'd have been informed the EU would make/implement out laws, we would have no say on migration etc etc I'm sure most would have voted to remain out of the EU--I know I would!!
I think that applies to many - unfortunately I was too young to vote in 1975 (11)

The question of sovereignty was discussed in an internal document of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO 30/1048) before the European Communities Act 1972, but was not available to the public until January 2002 under the thirty-year rule.

among "Areas of policy" listed "in which parliamentary freedom to legislate will be affected by entry into the European Communities" were: Customs duties, agriculture, free movement of labour, services and capital, transport, and social security for migrant workers.

The document concluded that it was advisable to put the considerations of influence and power before those of formal sovereignty

But it was a free and informed vote biggrin

davey68

1,199 posts

238 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
I don't believe a 2nd referendum repeating the first question would resolve anything. It would be costly, time consuming and divisive. The likely outcome would be a marginal win either way. Leave, and we have wasted considerable resource to achieve the sum total of nothing. Would remainers finally accept the result if it was 52/48 leave again? Narrow remain win, why should that result be final and binding? Some vocal remainers have spent over 2 years undermining and actively campaigning to cancel the 2016 result. Should leavers just roll over and say 'fair enough, clearly we should now remain'? IF there was another ref to resolve the current impasse it should be May's deal vs No deal Brexit.

ClaphamGT3

11,326 posts

244 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
The irrational - almost visceral - opposition to a second referendum by Brexiteers is interesting.

Whilst, by and large, leave voters were less well educated and less intelligent than remain voters, I can't believe that they are so stupid that they believe the pro -Brexit nonsense that another vote by the electorate somehow betrays the wishes of the electorate.

That only leaves the conclusion that they aren't confident that, now, with better facts, they'd win.

Robertj21a

16,485 posts

106 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
I'm not really sure there's too much to still discuss.

We voted to leave, and are now doing so. Any attempt by the Remainers in London/SE to overturn a democratic vote will be, rightly, ignored as just totally silly and them clutching at straws.

In which case, as has been mentioned many times, we either end up with a less than perfect 'TM Brexit' or an even worse 'No Deal Brexit'. We can't really influence either, so what are we still discussing ?

B'stard Child

28,470 posts

247 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
ClaphamGT3 said:
The irrational - almost visceral - opposition to a second referendum by Brexiteers is interesting.

Whilst, by and large, leave voters were less well educated and less intelligent than remain voters, I can't believe that they are so stupid that they believe the pro -Brexit nonsense that another vote by the electorate somehow betrays the wishes of the electorate.

That only leaves the conclusion that they aren't confident that, now, with better facts, they'd win.
I think Leave would walk it with a far larger majority - I'm not opposed to a second referendum or a third - just cannot see what question would be acceptable to all and what it will actually achieve with regard to the current impasse in government....

davey68

1,199 posts

238 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
Agree with the above. I think it would be close but I think leave would win again. My point is it would achieve nothing and just cause more division. Nice comments Clapham, I think you missed a dig at leavers being old and racist too. Might have got a full house then. Classy.

fouronthefloor

458 posts

85 months

Monday 24th December 2018
quotequote all
Ghibli said:
fouronthefloor said:
Ghibli said:
fouronthefloor said:
You seem to have misinterpreted my question. Do you think we should have a referendum based on May's deal or no deal?
It makes no difference what I think. It's now down to the MPs to make the decisions.
It makes a difference what everyone thinks. That's why we vote.
The reason I ask is that almost every post you make, tends to be a question. You then proceed to argue, actively misinterpret and twist what people have said.
I thought I'd ask a plain simple question in the hope that you could put YOUR view forward in a non-confrontational way.
Then everyone knows where you stand without any BS.
There is no vote to decide if we have another referendum, it makes no difference what people on this forum think about another referendum.

People only got one vote in the referendum yet many on this forum think that they now have some form of further say. It's up to the MPs now to make decisions for us.
I'm well aware of the current political situation. You are skirting around my question for some reason.
You are very good at replying with questions but you seem intent on stirring things up rather than putting forward your own personal opinions.
Is it because you doubt your debating abilities?
Judging by the amount of time you've spent commenting on Brexit threads (the only threads you comment on) I guess you must have some views of your own. I'd like to know your personal view.
Perhaps you could start by explaining why you voted to remain?
My reasons for voting the other way are very simple because I live a very simple life. I don't like to get embroiled in discussions about highfalutin politics because of this, yet I'd like to be persuaded that I voted the wrong way.
From what I've read so far, I made the right choice.
You obviously know a lot. I'd like you to give me some meaty nuggets of wisdom to help me regret my decision.