Thread by @sturdyAlex

Struck by Gove telling #r4today giving people a #FinalSay is undemocratic as it’s “a route to frustrate Brexit”. So, he thinks it at least possible there’s no CURRENT majority behind Brexit but asking people is somehow LESS democratic than pushing it through against their wishes.

It’s a huge flaw in the Brexit thesis. You cannot claim to respect the will of the people, when your entire focus over three years has been to prevent people from ever expressing their will again. Respecting voters’ views MUST include respecting the fact that those views evolve.

The 2016 EUref provided no mandate for a specific Brexit. The 2017 GE provided no mandate for a specific Brexit. MPs have provided no mandate for a specific Brexit.

So, where does Gove derive his mandate for a specific Brexit? His subjective interpretation. That’s not democracy.

I don’t wish to play down the divisive effect of a #FinalSay. But we also mustn’t consider growing opposition to Brexit an inert substance. Fantasy to think that, if Brexit is steamrolled against a current majority and economy goes tits up, everyone will go “oh well, democracy”.

Especially considering the growing evidence of lies, illegality, fraud and interference. We only ever think of the breakdown in democratic norms for ONE group of voters. There are OTHERS. Consider the breakdown with those who feel they were denied a #finalsay, in case of No-Deal.

Consider what happens to a Parliament, in the middle of a capital, in which millions were against Brexit, in the event of job losses, recession, food and medicine shortages. Displeasing those who still believe in Brexit at any cost is not the only route to civic catastrophe.

There will be more than milkshakes flying.