Thread by @Calumets

Of course, it's not what we're getting with the Tories, but I still believe a socialist Brexit would have been best. Here's why (in poem form from April 2019 - why not?):

It's called 'Can Rhyme Help Reason? (for Brian Bilston)'
1/21

The Brexit division is causing debate,
As leaders hedge bets and play with our fate.
When people were asked, the decision was tight,
Whether this way was wrong or that way was right. 2/21

As deadlines get closer, and more rifts appear,
And families argue, and newspapers smear,
Opinions are strong, but knowledge is lacking.
And all of us want to send lawmakers packing. 3/21

Some say the Commission is undemocratic,
Whilst others complain to the wrong demographic.
Both sides in this issue explain why they care,
But reasons for staying or leaving are spare. 4/21

Gut feelings and misinformation hold sway,
As reasoned arguments are hard to convey.
We can state with conviction why others are wrong,
But explaining our reasons is often less strong. 5/21

An example I’ll use is with movement of people,
A concern that's unrivalled for the level of upheaval.
An issue that’s foremost for both sides to claim:
For Leavers we’re crowded; we’re blessed for Remain. 6/21

My view is that each side is far too short-sighted,
We live on a planet where wrongs must be righted.
To illustrate my point, imagine a location:
The white cliffs of Dover, symbol of our nation. 7/21

High on the white cliffs, we stand looking down,
As the refugee people, most of them brown,
Attempt to climb up to a similar height,
Enjoyed by the privileged, wealthy and white. 8/21

Most Leavers, we claim, would keep out the needy:
“They’ve come from afar, they are surely just greedy.”
And those here already? “Well, show them the door
There’s too many already, let alone taking more.” 9/21

But even Remainers, who claim to be friendly,
Seek to exclude the wider assembly.
“Movement is precious,” the Remainers exclaim,
Yet they won’t accept those from outside our domain. 10/21

Across the EU we depend on the poor;
Without them we wouldn’t be rich anymore.
No matter our history is what put them there,
They cannot come in, even though it’s not fair. 11/21

I hope that this image helps explain my view,
Despite lots of closed eyes and ears to get through.
And if I still fail to convey my point clearly,
There’s plenty to read like Dependency Theory. 12/21

The main point I’m making is try not to judge,
It’s unlikely now that fixed stances will budge.
But, if you are sure that you know you are right,
The chances are likely you lack the foresight, 13/21

To understand nuanced positions like mine,
If you never listen but talk all the time.
I voted to Leave, and I’d do so again,
But not for the reasons some Remainers claim. 14/21

I don’t want a halt to immigration,
It enriches us all as a diverse nation.
My objections arise from a hatred of greed,
For the neo-lib market’s failure to feed. 15/21

With so many people who starve on our earth,
Whilst billionaires can’t even count their own worth,
It is clear that global solutions are needed,
But these huge global issues keep going unheeded. 16/21

Our peripheral debate is mainly distraction.
What we need is a far more widespread reaction.
It is time for this new Roman Empire to fall,
Before the elites have put paid to us all. 17/21

Our culture threatens a terrible distinction.
Capitalism may cause our ultimate extinction.
While those on the Left blame those on the Right,
And those in the middle have two fronts to fight, 18/21

So, the Capitalist charge off the cliff will not pause,
Whilst we, tragically, risk fighting the wrong cause.
So, I vote we hit back and create a new border,
With a pillar supporting that dangerous world order. 19/21

That means the European Union must go,
As we democratically decided more than two years ago.

20/21

As we near a disastrous Tory 'no deal' Brexit, it is important to remember that there were/are good socialist arguments to Leave - the 'No Deal' Brexit reality is the Tory position, no one else's. 21/21