Since June 2016, both the Government & Leavers have been fixated on the idea of "respecting the result", which in their eyes means leaving the EU come what may, even though Leavers themselves cannot agree how this should be achieved.
This must happen, they say, in order to
This must happen, they say, in order to
prevent "the people" from losing 'trust' in the democratic process.
But what does 'trust' mean in this context?
The Government decided the narrow mandate resulting from Ref16 effectively meant 'the end' (leaving the EU) justified whatever means it decided necessary to
But what does 'trust' mean in this context?
The Government decided the narrow mandate resulting from Ref16 effectively meant 'the end' (leaving the EU) justified whatever means it decided necessary to
make it happen, at whatever cost, even if 'the end' they delivered, bore little resemblance to the outcome voters were originally sold.
But is failing to achieve 'the end' really the reason for the loss of public trust?
But is failing to achieve 'the end' really the reason for the loss of public trust?
Or might it be the public doesn't believe 'the end' justifies the means, if it entails the Government acting dishonestly, attempting to overreach its powers and actively challenging the sovereignty of Parliament & the independence of the Judiciary? Both, vital components of
a functioning democracy?
Doesn't 'trust' work both ways?
In the process of delivering the result whatever the circumstances, the Government persistently refused to show the same trust in the public, by denying voters further direct participation in the democratic
Doesn't 'trust' work both ways?
In the process of delivering the result whatever the circumstances, the Government persistently refused to show the same trust in the public, by denying voters further direct participation in the democratic
process, by way of a referendum on the final options.
The existence of multiple, competing Leave factions means if the Government 'successfully' delivers Brexit, it may retain the trust of some, but not all Leavers, and inevitably lose the trust of almost all Remainers.
The existence of multiple, competing Leave factions means if the Government 'successfully' delivers Brexit, it may retain the trust of some, but not all Leavers, and inevitably lose the trust of almost all Remainers.
In the event of 'No Deal' support amongst Leavers will shrink considerably, because whoever the Government attempts to blame, leaving without an Agreement will inevitably be seen as failure by most.
This is a situation of the Government's own making.
If the process it had
This is a situation of the Government's own making.
If the process it had
followed, was seen to be demonstrably honest, transparent, participative & competent, the public would have far more forgiving, whatever 'end' resulted.
As it stands, it's hard to see how this Tory Government can come out of this self-initiated mess with much credit.
As it stands, it's hard to see how this Tory Government can come out of this self-initiated mess with much credit.
