Referendums, Elections and Local MPs

Referendum

One evening, over a bottle of wine, we came up with a great idea – as you often do with a small amount of the right kind of lubrication! Since Article 50 has been declared, why not have a second referendum to see if we would like to join or perhaps re-join the EU but this time do it properly so that in excess of 50% of eligible voters must be counted for a winning decision. So, whilst the iron was hot I struck and sent the following to my local MP:

"I am sure this idea must have been already considered but now that Article 50 has been triggered, whilst it might be considered undemocratic to have a further referendum on leaving the EU, why not consider a referendum to join (or re-join) the EU?

I know it sounds a bit "off piste" but given that less than 50% of eligible voters voted out, given the sheer volume of lies during the campaign, given the politicians involved have now all shown what they are truly made of and given that our younger generations are now being denied a life they would have chosen, why not?"

Local MP

Sometime later I was honoured with a reply which I have transcribed here for your amusement:

"Thank you for your email of 8 April about a second EU referendum.

The referendum in 2016 was not about "leaving the EU", but offered voters the binary choice of remaining in or leaving in the EU. The wording on ballot papers was as required by the Electoral Commission in order to be neutral. I am not clear, therefore, how your proposal to hold a referendum on rejoining the EU is constitutionally different, particularly as the UK has not yet left. 

That said, I support the Prime Minister's unambiguous confirmation that the UK is leaving the EU. The referendum campaign was fought, the vote was held, turnout was high, and the public gave its verdict. There must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to rejoin it and no second referendum. The country voted to leave the EU and it is the duty of the Government to make sure we do just that. 

No one argued about thresholds or double majorities before the outcome of the referendum was known. The arguments would have had more credibility had they been expressed before the event. Changing the rules after the referendum would in my view severely undermine the democratic process. 

Whilst both sides made robust and even exaggerated claims in support of their argument, at the heart of the Leave campaign was the message that we wanted to "Take Back Control" - that is to say, to restore a situation where the laws under which the UK lives would once again be made by a democratically elected Parliament, accountable to the people of the UK without interference from the European Court and the structures of the EU. 

The Prime Minister has now invoked Article 50 which will begin the formal process of negotiations to leave the EU. The Government has made it clear that it will seek a withdrawal agreement that works for everyone and that the agreement will be put to Parliament before it is concluded.

Those who disagree with this approach will of course now have the opportunity to express that view on 8 June. 

I hope that this is helpful."

Election

I have to say that this response certainly did allow me to express my view on 8 June and it appears that many others who had not had the benefit of reading this response also expressed their view.