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1/ With apologies, bit of a rant follows about the so-called 'will of the people', repeated endlessly in attempts to discredit the proposed #Brexit PV.
2/ Many, MANY varieties of democracy exist, direct democracy, liberal democracy, consensus democracy, deliberative democracy, social democracy, parliamentary democracy etc etc. See v-dem.net/en/
3/The UK constitution is based on parliamentary democracy which emphasizes that elected representatives govern w checks and balances on the power of the executive, protection of minority rights, respect for fundamental freedoms, pluralism and social tolerance (cf JS Mill, Dahl )
4/ Direct democracy through consultative referendums on constitutional issues like #Brexit and Scot indy have a legitimate role to supplement parliamentary democracy, but in the UK they are advisory not binding.
5/Moreover the outcome of the 2016 Brexit was extremely close (52:48), with a dodgy campaign, and a simplistic ballot question. Should have been designed as a multistage referendum (cf New Zealand reform in 1993)
6/ Democracy is a process not a one-off contest. Everyone is entitled to be consulted again to update their preferences in the light of new info.
7/ Direct democracies like Switzerland hold a series of referendums, just like liberal democracies hold a series of elections.
8/Leave voters can, of course, still vote Leave again. Its their choice. Holding a 2nd referendum is important for democratic legitimacy, irrespective of the outcome.
9/ Shame on the PM for Orwellian claptrap claiming that giving people a chance to vote is anti-democratic. (cf 1984)
10/ Finally (apologies again for the length and shouty caps!), OF COURSE giving people a further say in the future of the UK is democratic. When Westminster is divided, and parties split, it just makes sense to consult the people.
11/ Thanks for reading this far!
