3464

You know the referendum has no legal force, right? It’s basically a fancy poll. Why take another poll after you’ve taken one, is that what you’re saying?

I mean, I would rather destroy the economy based on the desires of less than a majority of my fellow citizens than ask them again if they really mean it is some position.

3465

Because the situation has fundamentally changed?

The first referendum, by a narrow margin, advised the govt that we wanted to leave the EU. During the campaign, there were obviously no specific details about the form this would take - even leave campaigners were saying it would be out of the question to leave the customs union, for instance.

In response to the advice, the govt negotiated a deal based around May’s red lines (unknown before the vote). ‘Leaving the EU’ has a huge solution space, a huge number of variables. It’s only fair to let the public have a say if they believe these concrete choices - and their consequences - are still acceptable to them.

3466

Although it’s not legally binding the government had promised to implement the result. Since they are elected officials and the referendum was a democratic process to ignore or frustrate the result would be morally wrong in my opinion.

3467

I don’t believe the situation has fundamentally changed. The question was:
“Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”
The answer was to leave. I don’t see why another referendum is required. The answer was clear. The United Kingdom should leave the EU and that policy should be implemented. Ideally through a negotiated deal (Mays) or if that is not possible through no deal.

3468

So they rejected a no-deal brexit does this mean if the EU rejects an extension that they stay in the EU?

3469

LOL, no.

3470

— Hello there, fancy a burger?
— Yeah, go on then
— OK, coming right up, btw the burger is human flesh
— Wait, I didn’t think th-
— YOU VOTED FOR BURGER

3471

I disagree with your analogy. The UK existed just fine before it joined the EU. Leaving is not the apocalypse it’s a bureaucratic process of adjustment.

3472

Who knows what will happen next :)

Based on tonights results Parliament skews toward remain. If they vote for a delay tomorrow (highly likely) it’s possible they can frustrate or delay Brexit to the point of a 2nd referendum.

3473

Ah, so any promise offered by any elected official in response to any poll must always be carried out regardless of the consequences, or a failure of democracy has occurred. Somehow I don’t think even you subscribe to that view.

3474

Brexit or no Brexit, I think you’re going to be disappointed in your “full independence from the EU”, at least if history is any guide. Leaving is just the start, the UK is going to want a trade deal with the EU.

3475

So now they’re just doubling down on all sides. My way or chaos is what May is saying.

3476

This was a nationwide referendum where the government promised to implement the result. I don’t know what else to say.

3477

That government no longer exists.

Edit: Also, I’m skeptical that the then government made any such promise. From Wikipedia:

The European Union Referendum Act required a referendum to be held on the question of the UK’s continued membership of the European Union (EU) before the end of 2017. It did not contain any requirement for the UK Government to implement the results of the referendum. Instead, it was designed to gauge the electorate’s opinion on EU membership.

3478

It’s entirely possible but the start is to actually leave the EU. Parliament can’t even get that right at the moment.

3479

I would agree that it’s not the apocalypse, though there’s probability that people will die from it, one way or another, depending on how it goes. However, the logic of the UK existed just fine is also true for electricity, home refrigeration, medicine, etc. :D

3480

The UK existed just fine before electricity or the internet as well. Times and the world change.

EDIT: To be clear, I’m not trying to imply that the UK would turn into a Mad Max type of scenario or resort to cannibalism or anything. Just saying that just because the UK existed fine before the EU doesn’t mean that it isn’t going to cause major pain leaving the EU now.

EDIT 2: I didn’t see Darth already used the electricity thing, I’m so slow! :)

3481

I don’t see how you can equate these things. The EU a bureaucratic construct.

3482

I agree, although it’s not an ideal scenario. This is one of those cases where people made a decision - possibly based on bad information or poor decision making, but still a decision - and should be held accountable.

Leave, with no deal since clearly no deal acceptable to all sides it possible. Give it six months. Then do another referendum on whether to petition to rejoin. Any guesses on the results of that one?

3483

So’s the UK. So’s our entire legal framework. The UK has spent 40 years living inside this construct, changing it to what’s better for the UK, the economy adapting to being inside this construct, etc.

Of course it’s possible to live outside it. It’s just that 40 years of integration are hard to turn back without pain. Of course, the pain might be worth it, that’s for the British to decide…