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1) 1 march, up to a million, no arrests, almost no police presence
another, a few 10's of thousands, Tommy Robinson & Farage speaking, 5 arrests, massive police presence, people drinking from cans whilst burning EU flags - and this
#RevokeArticle50
another, a few 10's of thousands, Tommy Robinson & Farage speaking, 5 arrests, massive police presence, people drinking from cans whilst burning EU flags - and this
#RevokeArticle50
2) Are all remainers angels and Leavers devils? No. Are all Leavers racists & xenophobes? Of course not.
But that doesn't mean that the 2 movements are broadly the same, or equivalent, and we shouldn't pretend they are.
But that doesn't mean that the 2 movements are broadly the same, or equivalent, and we shouldn't pretend they are.
3) every time the stupidity of Brexit itself is called out - the response is "are you calling 17.4 million people stupid?"
Every time xenophobia is highlighted - the response is "are you calling 17.4 million people racist"
So we don't. We allow brexiters to shut down the debate
Every time xenophobia is highlighted - the response is "are you calling 17.4 million people racist"
So we don't. We allow brexiters to shut down the debate
4) But lets just have a reality check - the "popular movement", the "visible presence" of Leave is Tommy Robinson appearing at a rally & Farage describing parliament as "enemy territory"
A failure by brexiters to achieve brexit is called a "betrayal by remainers"
A failure by brexiters to achieve brexit is called a "betrayal by remainers"
5) People said "I voted Leave for economic or well thought out political reasons - I'm not like *those* people"
Of course not - but *those* people are a part of the Leave movement, and are being turned into footsoldiers.
Of course not - but *those* people are a part of the Leave movement, and are being turned into footsoldiers.
6) The fact is the #brexit campaign was a nasty, divisive, insular, at times xenophobic exercise which bordered on fascism
Simple slogans, undermining of experts, attacks on the other
"moderate", intelligent Leavers saw this - and voted anyway, because it didn't describe them
Simple slogans, undermining of experts, attacks on the other
"moderate", intelligent Leavers saw this - and voted anyway, because it didn't describe them
7) Why they thought this they can only explain themselves - why anyone thought a campaign which had a central message of "80 million Turks are coming!" could settle back down into rational debate post result god only knows.
8) But frankly it really is time, if we're honest, for moderate leavers (as many have already done) to admit "I didn't expect this, and I didn't vote for this - and I don't want this kind of society" & to pick a side, the side that doesn't put uniforms on
