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So I risk upsetting some fellow remainers here but I have to admit I have some sympathy for the “will of the people” argument.
Yes I get all the advisory referendum, #CambridgeAnalytica tainted, red bus of lies arguments - they’re correct but it’s simply not enough..
..but I think remainers dont get that theres enough people who don’t get these arguments to make simply cancelling or a referendum rerun even if technically possible, politically toxic.
It can happen but will lead to a serious crisis. Problem is #brexit will anyway lead to..
#brexit will lead to a crisis anyway. Theres too many undeliverables from what was promised pre referendum. In a febrile nationalist environment idea tho that UK cld turn back to EU will be seen as equivalent to “siding with the enemy halfway through a war”.
It won’t happen.
The possibility of public mood changing quickly enough to ease out of #brexit while not impossible - seems unlikely - & anything more than 35-40% still backing Leave will be difficult to ignore.
So what should concerned remainers, & particularly remainers, do?
The key should be to put pressure on govt to maximise UKs room for #brexit manoeuvre as much as possible. Chances of UK staying in EU or EEA greater the longer a transition phase is - not from heightening debate on referendum.
If we must have referendum then better a ...
Better a referendum that keeps open options while accepting Leave. A rerun with remain will be toxic
Campaign positive case for CU for Ireland & EEA for economy
British care about democracy but they wont die in a ditch for stopping a customs union - not the sane majority.
Long game is - short term commitment to EEA + commitment to #Brexit. If you can get that thru you can keep UK in EUsystem.
Do a referendum rerun you’ll make it even more cliff edge, toxic & likely lose if economy hasn’t tanked (Brits are proud enough to reject EU even then).
A long Brexit process can (likely will) lead to eventual remain.