Opposing Hard Brexit doesn’t mean those most affected need to make peace with Brexiters - nor does it mean we should all sound angry. Thread 1.
Brexit is deeply emotional. For millions it feels hateful & divisive. For other millions it feels like liberation. And millions in the middle don’t want to feel conflicted. 2
We can’t change the *feelings* most people have about Brexit - they are rooted in ideas of British nationalism... pluralism... compromise... so deep that it’s hard even to discuss them. 3
I’ve tweeted my view (a lot) that both Leave & Remain leaders debated Brexit in a false frame of arrogant British nationalism - that depends on & legitimises a racist world-view. 4
But the immediate issue isn’t about changing minds of those most committed to Leave or Remain. Its the opinions of the middle 5
It’s the middle ground that should most concern those of us who want a pluralist, anti-racist & internationalist UK 6
Winning over the middle to oppose nationalism is a short-term & long-term challenge. What happens now will affect both 7
We need emotional & logical narratives. We should amplify the experiences of the individuals who are already losing - or are most threatened by - Brexit. 8
Stories really matter. We need to tell these as they happen. Migrants & their families facing more racism. People whose jobs go abroad. Public services losing essential staff. Border control inhumanity. 9
Middle grounders like the theory of immigration control - but when they see what it means for individuals it weakens their support. 10
We can encourage & support migrants & others who suffer harm to speak up - despite the narrative of rejection & shame that Hard Brexiters want to be felt by them (& their allies) 11
Hard Brexiters have powerful narrative that “independence” is unifying - and it’s Remoaners’ refusal that is dividing UK. We must show how Brexit will divide *in practice* 12
We must show how Brexit will break up families, communities, settled ways of living, businesses and networks. 13
Hard Brexit promises UK-world relations that don’t change transnational ties, yet strengthen Britain’s unity. We need the stories that falsify this. 14
Millions would today back Remajn, if Remain had won EURef. But for now they back Brexit: the “democratic” choice & because they want peace. These arent Hard Brexiters - they’re just “Friends of Hard Brexiters”. We need them 15
Attacking EURef as undemocratic doesnt persuade Friends of HBers. Showing them HB isn’t what we voted for and will divide UK, may 16
Framing Hard Brexit as dividing Britain and it’s peoples also lays ground for the long-term argument : our current British nationalism is arrogant and divisive. 17
What kind of “patriotism” breaks up families of people for whom Britain is home? Or is strongly opposed by three of our national communities: Scotland, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar? 18
What kind of internationalism pursues a policy that not a single friendly country supports? Are we so exceptional we know better than every other country? 19
Every argument & story for Remain can be twisted or seen as pro-Leave for a Hard Brexiter. But we don’t aim to persuade them. 20
We should aim for millions of middle grounders to say “I want this Brexit argument over - let’s stay in Single Market - that’s a fair compromise - and I didn’t vote to leave it, only the EU 21
We should also aim for everyone to know that a Hard Brexit - if it happens - is not a compromise. It’s the most extreme, nationalist choice. 22/22
