Thread by @fascinatorfun

@berniespofforth It depends on how it is done (vote in Parliament) & what they do next.
1/ Revoke would merely be a reflection of the appalling mess the country is in and a recognition that lurching into no deal or an unsatisfactory deal can only make things much worse.

Divisions deepened. Pause

@berniespofforth 2/. It is saying to the Nation (as grown ups should do).

Stop.

We need to find a better way of sorting out what has gone on.

A better way of having difficult conversations &. making safe decisions without death threats, racial slurs, nooses, cruelty.

@berniespofforth 3/. So that is what we will do. We have all had enough.

We are not saying we will not Brexit. Millions of people want to. We now longer know how many million would be happy with one version, how many million would be happy with another version and another and another.

@berniespofforth 4/. We do not even know with any certainty how many people have changed their minds and in which direction.

How many people feel they need to understand more or about what in order to make good decisions.

This has been a massive failing in our political classes, and the media.

@berniespofforth 5/. But whilst we have lurched from one mess to another we have spent literally £billions on the project and all the signs are that we will need to spend many £billions more

Money that could have sorted NHS/Social Care

The £ has lost value that is putting prices for everyone up

@berniespofforth 6/. Schools and higher education establishements are suffering and we must keep the care of our children and grandchildren and indeed the children yet to be front and centre in our decision making.

We are not. That is not good enough.

We are in a climate emergency.

@berniespofforth 7/. Our elections are not secure. It is a shameful thing to admit, but they are not.

We must secure them before we carry on making huge and serious constitutional changes

So what will we do?

@berniespofforth 8/. Firstly we will set up a Ministry for Constitutional reform and Citizen engagement.

One of the reasons we are where we are is that, due to our FPTP system millions of people feel their votes do not county. That must change.

@berniespofforth 9/. Secondly

Under that Ministry we will set up a department of Citizen Engagement. It will legislate to secure safe Citizens Assemblies up and down the country in all four nations where citizens can have serious, searching conversations about the big issues for them.

@berniespofforth 10/
We need to find out in a far richer way what every sector of our society feel they need to lead a secure & resilient life.

What do YOU need to know to help you make good decisions about Brexit?
How can we make it possible to engage on this in a way peacefully & respectfully?

@berniespofforth 11/. Where have we failed you?

Where has the press and media failed you?

Which are the most pressing areas that YOU feel need addressing urgently and where is Brexit in those priorities when it comes to spending public money.

@berniespofforth 12/. We recognise there has to be more meaningful dialogue between our citizens and our organs of Government rather than lobbying groups and the loudest political voices, that may not be the wisest making those decision.

@berniespofforth 13/. If there is to be a further pursuit of Brexit then you need to be at the centre of HOW it is pursued and be able to receive the information you feel you need to help you decide and in what form.

@berniespofforth 14/. YES. This will all cost quite a lot of money.

Right now our national dialogue is so fractured we are in gave danger of making unwise decisions that will, highly probably, make things much worse and for a very long time.

BUT if it means we become more united as nations;

@berniespofforth 15/. If it means we act cooperatively, wisely and respectively then I am confident that this will be the best investment we can make in all our 4 nations and in our protectorates.

We will only proceed TO Brexit when we are sure the majority of people still want to.

@berniespofforth 16/. Either way many people will be disappointed BUT we ALL need to invest in minimising the losses, and that is likely to mean kindness and wise compromises.

@berniespofforth 17/. I’ve just thrown that together.

I have a whole series of other suggestions but that is a broad outline.

@berniespofforth I probably should not add such a long thread to this one, but this excellent and thought provoking essay from @ShMMor dropped into my feed this afternoon with many thought provoking reflections on the nature of democracy, disagreements, & the rule of law

https://twitter.com/fascinatorfun/status/1162390874048880645?s=21

@berniespofforth @ShMMor Also this article expands on some of the thoughts I have had brewing about the sort of extended rôle into which Citizens Assemblies could help drive forward a far more inclusive process of decision making.

VERY skilled facilitators will be needed.

theguardian.com/commentisfree/…