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Today's thread.... in which I dish it out a bit.
There was always 1 thing at the root of euroscepticism: the democracy argument. That the connection between Govt & governed had blurred. /1
That argument split into two: (1) The EU's existence & modus operandi neutered UK democracy; direct effect of laws; majority voting. /2
This first aspect of the democracy argument has been rehearsed at length many times. It focuses on the shortcomings of the EU itself. /3
(2) 2nd part of democracy argument is that UK politics is at fault. Took us into EU; outsourced its functions; didn't renew EU mandate... /4
...as became necessary at the time of Maastricht, Lisbon, and the years in between and beyond. /5
UK politics infantilised itself during this process, gradually descending into empty slogan politics & losing respect along the way /6
The pro-EU side in UK, leading this descent, has constantly sold EU m'ship as something it isn't: economic, transactional... /7
...And playing down the EU's influence & reach over years. "It's only the size of the BBC or Scottish office; few laws come from there". /8
Euroscepticism's case that "we've been lied to for years about EU" is entirely valid. But it's generally not the EU that did the lying. /9
This 2nd aspect of the democracy argument is rarely heard these days because Leave figureheads are themselves politicians. And..... /10
Because Leave politics has itself been drawn into the infantilisation process, led down by the Ukipification of British euroscepticism. /11
So EUref was a battle of SW1 infants. But at least this was surfaced for all to see. The uselessness of SW1 is still illustrated daily. /12
Also revealed by the EUref (as Remain Ultras ironically sneer) is how hugely integrated into EU we've become, close to point of no exit. /13
Euroscepticism's longstanding case of being lied to, and the UK being massively integrated is seemingly proven. /14
Meanwhile the Remain lobby still sing the old song of economics & a transactional relationship, quietly wondering why it isn't working. /15
And the relatively recently infantilised Leave movement just wants it all sorted NOW (as infants do) and without serious engagement. /16
'Free movement' is illustrative. EU locks down a part of UK immigration debate BUT various UK Govts also failed to do what they can. /17
In this sense, Farage has been Westminster's useful idiot, putting the entire blame for "uncontrolled immigration" on the EU. /18
So Voters in the general election sent an aggregated message to SW1 saying "A plague on all your houses". And who can blame them? /19
What the election outcome demands is a more considered approach to Brexit from all parties. Yet they now seem incapable of stepping up. /20
Bottom line: the rot must be stopped & Govt made fully accountable to the governed. That starts with Brexit.....however long it takes. /ends
