🧵 on the long shadow of the 2016 referendum; prompted by the status of anyone tainted by association with 'remain' in the forthcoming Tory leadership race. 1/9
In 2016, the country had a choice, to decide whether to stick with EU membership, or to leave the EU. We know how the referendum was conducted, and what the outcome was. We also know what has happened in the years since 2016. 2/9
In one sense, Brexit is done. The UK has left the EU. It isn't going to rejoin any time soon.
In another, Brexit is not done. The 'future relationship' is not functioning smoothly. There is widespread agreement that *something* needs to be done to improve it. 3/9
In another, Brexit is not done. The 'future relationship' is not functioning smoothly. There is widespread agreement that *something* needs to be done to improve it. 3/9
But that's as far as the agreement reaches. People disagree strongly about what the 'future relationship' between the UK and the EU should look like, and how to get there.
What UK politics *should* be doing is looking urgently for answers to those questions. 4/9
What UK politics *should* be doing is looking urgently for answers to those questions. 4/9
We are not in a 'campaigning phase', trying to convince people of the benefits of Brexit, and trying to get people to take the risk of voting for a largely unknown 'leave'.
We are instead in a 'governing phase', trying to make arrangements, to coin a phrase, 'work'. 5/9
We are instead in a 'governing phase', trying to make arrangements, to coin a phrase, 'work'. 5/9
In this phase, a strong belief, or conviction, or faith, about the benefits of leaving the EU is neither sufficient nor necessary.
In this phase some scepticism, and some experience of how trade agreements are made and how trade law works, is, instead, useful. 6/9
In this phase some scepticism, and some experience of how trade agreements are made and how trade law works, is, instead, useful. 6/9
I can well understand that the Tory Party will not choose a leader who wants to reverse Brexit. But the idea that anyone who voted remain in 2016 should not be considered, is, to me, bizarre. 7/9
It goes further. 'The remoaner blob' is implausibly blamed for the fall of Johnson and for the Govt's policy failures.
There has been no attempt to bridge divide between the 52% and the 48%. Instead, divisions are stoked at every opportunity. 8/9
There has been no attempt to bridge divide between the 52% and the 48%. Instead, divisions are stoked at every opportunity. 8/9
Essentially, it shouldn't matter how people voted in 2016. What should matter is whether people offer a way forward for the UK. And part of that way forward involves creating a stable, functioning relationship with the EU. 9/9
The need for a Brexiter leader has just been discussed (not altogether badly) on #politicslive. But ‘authenticity’ - which shouldn’t mean ‘voted/campaigned for Brexit’ - did muddy the waters.
I’ve seen this from Ben Wallace from 2016. Genuine question: is it really enough to rule him (and the likes ofLiz Truss) out of the race? gov.uk/government/new…
Not Brexit but Covid, this time. Those who stray from the policy preferences of the Tory press will be savaged.
https://twitter.com/telegraph/status/1545527571730817027
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