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Early skirmishing about the EP elections (which are, unless a deal is miraculously agreed, passed, and ratified in the next few weeks, heading our way at the end of May) - is, I'm afraid, wearily depressing. A quick thread. 1/
The elections are not, and cannot be, a proxy for a second referendum. That is because there is (still) no concrete version of leave which 'Brexit parties' unite in espousing, and no agreed path towards remain upon which 'remain parties' agree. 2/
I'm hoping for clearer signals from the various parties, and closer interrogation of their positions in the media. Let's hope that we begin to see some of that. 3/
Let's look first at 'Brexit parties'. They need to answer these questions: what version of Brexit are you in favour of? Is it the WA? if so, what future relationship do you want to see? If not, is it no deal? What happens in the immediate aftermath of no deal? 4/
More broadly: To what extent will our rules be aligned with the EU? What of free movement? What of the Irish border? What will our trade deals with the rest of the world look like? 5/
There are many other questions. The key will be to try to tease out the differences between the Parties, and use the elections to show whether there is a version of Brexit which commands support. 6/
If votes for 'Brexit parties' are taken together as an endorsement of an abstract leave, and if we still don't know what concrete leave will follow, we will have learned precious little. 7/
Now, the 'remain parties'. Are they in favour of a people's vote, or in favour of revoking A50? If it is people's vote, what will the options be? Are they prepared (eg) to back the WA in order to 'put it to the people'? Will they campaign for remain in a PV? 8/
More broadly: What direction would they like to see the EU take? How will they position themselves in the European Parliament? How will they exercise their influence? 9/
There are many different opinions within both the Brexit camp, and the remain camp. This election should not be seen as a vote between 'leave' and 'remain'. 10/
It is instead a chance for parties on both sides of the Brexit debate to articulate a strong case for their solution to Brexit. And there is certainly scope for both Brexiters and remainers to make a stronger case than we have seen so far. 11/11
