Thread by @spaceangel1964

*Thread*
Many of us have lived, slept & breathed Brexit for almost 3 years (unlike most of our politicians) & we are weary. I feel like I've been ignored, screaming into a void, begging for some crumbs of reason & in a permanent state of anxiety & frustration. But why?
1/21

Let's go back a few years. Since Thatcher, there had been a core of (mainly Tory) Eurosceptics, but they were kept in check until Farage & UKIP started to gain ground in traditional Tory seats. As the EU expanded, the right-wing press had a field day & stirred up resentment.
2/21

This created a xenophobic groundswell in both Tory & Labour heartlands and, whilst they weren't losing Parliamentary seats, their share of the vote (GE & Local elections) was being lost to UKIP. Cue Cameron trying to show he was getting tough on the EU.
3/ 21

His trip to Brussels to negotiate for yet more concessions for the UK (remember we already had many opt-outs/rebates) was a pathetic attempt, but instead of him getting ridiculed, the EU were painted as the baddies - the scene was set.
4/21

With Cameron & Tories on the back foot & UKIP support increasing, all it needed to was to deflect the ills of the country onto the EU & immigrants, a smokescreen for all the damage done by Austerity. And don't forget May's demonisation of immigration as Home Sec.
5/21

Fast forward to June 2015 & 544 MPs voted in favour of the EU Referendum (Labour were complicit, don't forget). Royal Assent was gained in December of that year. All through the stages of of the Act, the debate focused on the process & gave little thought to the impact.
6/21

So, we have a Referendum asking a question which would dramatically affect the UK, its economy, the lives of EU Nationals & Brits in the EU and there is no plan, no assessment for the eventuality of a majority for leaving the EU - because they thought it wouldn't happen.
7/21

The level of arrogance in Westminster & such was the rush to get it over and done with, meant those most affected were ignored & denied a vote. And so the campaigns began with lies, over-spending and foreign interference on one side and a lack-lustre attempt on the other.
8/21

Fast forward again to the day of the result, the country was in both shock & celebration & the man handed the poisoned chalice f*cked off at the 1st opportunity. As May declared 'Brexit Means Brexit', our fight began in earnest. Article 50 was evoked in the blink of an eye.
9/21

The clock was ticking, although with hindsight, it was more like a time bomb. Negotiations started & debate commenced in Parliament, all without any impact assessments or risk analyses being in place - they were literally making it up as they went along.
10/21

By now Brexit was a throwaway term & could mean anything - there was no plan, no definition, no consensus. The EU set out its stall & red lines (4 pillars) & the UK's procession of Brexit Secretaries were clueless. The EU27 were aligned, yet we were in chaos.
11/21

The climate in Britain became toxic, those who rejected Brexit were branded 'citizens of nowhere', EU Nationals were subjected to overt racism & started to leave. The promises of extra money for the NHS were binned, together with virtually every other Leave pledge.
12/21

With divisions in both Westminster & the country as a whole widening, May called a GE to establish a 'strong & stable' mandate & in doing so created a weak & unstable Gov't through bribery. Then Trump happened - populism was now rife & fake news the fallback of the corrupt.
13/21

As talks continued the blocks on the road to the promised sunny uplands emerged: the Irish border issue threatening the GFA & the Union, loss of collaborative structures like Euratom, Erasmus, Gallileo & the need to adhere to the 4 pillars for free & frictionless trade.
14/21

The PM made speeches heralding progress, yet couldn't garner support for her Chequers Brexit or indeed any style of Brexit - not only within her own party, but cross-party consensus was impossible too. We have an opposition which both opposes & supports, ERG plots & chaos.
15/21

There's no confidence in Westminster, yet we're lead by a Tory/DUP confidence & supply pact. Ministers resigning weekly, only to be replaced by those who are even more incompetent. Businesses are silenced by NDAs, food & medicines are stockpiled, the £ in free-fall.
16/21

After 2 and a half years, as we enter the last few weeks before the fateful deadline, May's deal is defeated by the biggest margin in history & suddenly the Brexit people voted for becomes a No Deal Brexit. Dissenters are ignored, a second vote rejected, we're in deadlock.
17/21

And so, I am weary. Tired of being insulted & abused for trying to do the best for my country, fed up of being ignored by my MP, frustrated at the low level of debate & our soundbite democracy. I am angry that most of the issues which created this mess are left unresolved.
18/21

I am frantically trying to square my determination to #StopBrexit with my desire to see a @UKLabour Government - how can I support a party whose leader is so obtuse? I've marched, written, doorstepped, manned street stalls, donated to initiatives - I've fought hard.
19/21

If not now, when will our voices be heard? Perhaps not for a generation. Maybe we need to experience the devastation to come to our senses, although by then it will be too late. Livelihoods will be lost, future chances denied the young, rights & protections gone forever.
20/21

I'm not throwing in the towel yet, but I'm on the ropes - we all are, because there will be no winners, except those with the means to profit from Brexit.
The only thing keeping me going is hope & my fellow campaigners & I thank all of you. #StopBrexit
21/21