Thread by @MonkEmma

OK, I'm really struggling with the uproar over @Keir_Starmer saying we need to #MakeBrexitWork.

#Brexit has happened. There is no magic wand we can wave to make it simply vanish in a puff of smoke. We can't just return to 2016 and all live happily ever after...

1/

The path to Rejoining the EU will take 5-20 years (depending on your optimism levels😜) and will necessitate multiple steps bringing us closer to the EU both in terms of standards/trading/economy and also values/attitudes/democracy.

The EU didn't chose Brexit.

2/

Yet the EU has spent 5 years (and counting) expending vast amounts of political energy dealing with Brexit. Every EU country has spent time and money preparing for the changes that Brexit has thrust upon them.

We will need EVERY one of them to allow us to Rejoin

3/

We will need to be in a position where our democracy, rule of law, human rights and respect for minorities are all in a good place.
And we will need to show we are prepared to adhere to the aims of the political union.
No more being the grumpy outsider.

4/

Getting all 27 EU countries to agree to let us join will be no mean feat. Article 88-5 of the French constitution states that it must be put to a referendum in France before they will allow the accession of any new member state.
www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/langues/welcom…

5/

So between persuading 26 EU governments that we are fit, able and willing potential members who have a stable majority for EU membership and aren't going to change our minds with every new government, AND the entire French electorate, I think this process will take some time!

6/

And before we can begin persuading the EU to let us back in, we need a government who will countenance the move and a good majority of the public in favour of it (no more 52:48 splits!). We are slowly getting there but there's a way to go yet.

7/

But in the mean time WE ARE STUCK WITH BREXIT for the next 5+ years.

And it's a really, really s**t version of Brexit.

It is hurting every single sector of our economy. It is hurting businesses of all sizes. It is damaging our children's prospects. It is dividing families.

8/

Real people's livelihoods are at risk every day this Brexit is in place.

Companies are relocating. The 'Best and the Brightest' are upping sticks to move abroad. Farmers and fisherman are packing in their generations old professions. The economy is taking a huge hit...

9/

So yes, Starmer is absolutely right to point out THIS damaging version of Brexit is terrible. He is right to say we need to "Make Brexit work", because like it or not, Brexit has happened and its not going to vanish overnight.

10/

While Remainers campaign for an eventual Rejoin, something HAS to be done to make Brexit less damaging to the very real people whose lives are impacted by Brexit. They can't wait 5+ years for the Holy Grail of #Rejoin. They need support now.

11/

We need agreements on Financial services, the Arts/Entertainment industry, alignment with EU farming and fishing checks, to rejoin EU programs like Erasmus, and a whole host of other, simple 'easy wins' that do not 'betray Brexit' but benefit the people most suffering.

12/

That's what Making Brexit Work means.

I despair of the Remainers who demand that Brexit needs to be catastrophic because only then will 'people see how bad it is and they'll clamour to Rejoin'.

And in the mean time? Irreversible damage is done to millions.

13/

Johnson would love nothing more than to keep Brexit going ad infinitum. As the great @mrjamesob pointed out last week, the government can get away with ANYTHING as long as they can frame it as Getting Brexit done (or keeping Brexit done)

14/

https://twitter.com/LBC/status/1456601290096660482?s=20

Starmer trying to reopen the Brexit/Rejoin debate again would be music to their ears

Starmer demanding they Make Brexit Work not only highlights the fact that it isn't working, its also a threat - Make it work or I will

Making it work means closer alignment - which we need

15/

People accuse Starmer of only caring about winning back the 'Red Wall' seats and ignoring Remainers.

I don't believe he is, but if anyone can explain, using electoral maths, how he can ever win without winning back some of those voters, I'd love to hear it.

16/

Hearing some Remainers cry "Starmer is Pro-Brexit", "I'll never vote for labour while they are pro-Brexit" makes me want to tear my hair out in frustration!

Grow up! Of course he hasn't suddenly decided Brexit is a good idea!🤦‍♀️

17/

He has to navigate the pro-Brexit press, a corrupt government, the Remainers, the Brexiters, the "please don't let us talk about Brexit"ers and he has to try and paint a future for the UK which is better than now, without pretending we can wind the clock back 5 years.

18/

I will end by saying, I have no links to the labour party. I have never voted labour (no chance of winning where I live). I have been immensely frustrated at Starmer's apparent lack of desire to 'tackle Brexit'.
But I do get what he is doing with 'Make Brexit work'

19/

I don't see what other option is available to him.

And I care about the people who NEED Brexit to work for them to survive the coming years before we can (and will 😃) Rejoin!

Rant over!

20/

@threadreaderapp please unroll