Point 17 Brexit
I voted to remain in the EU not for some romantic notion that everything EU was perfect, but my firm belief our quality of life was better in than out. I am convinced the EU must undergo a root and branch reform to enable it to address the discrepancy between living standards in member countries. Had living standards been more equal the result would have been different and right wing nationalism would not be on the march.
The question remains. Was the result of the referendum binding on our sovereign parliament? The simple answer is NO; the referendum was more to do with the internal fighting of the Tory party than anything else.
Parliament, not government is sovereign.
UK referenda are advisory unless Parliament for a specific referendum votes by a majority to make it legally binding. In which case, it will lay down the terms and conditions that must be met.
An example of a UK binding referendum was in 2011. Parliament asked the people if they wanted to change the voting system from “first past the post” to an “alternative vote” AV system if certain criteria were met.
Online petitions to be considered by Parliament were set at 100,000. A 4,000,003 EU referendum petition to the government was ignored.
Constitutional long term changes in the UK require more than a simple majority. An example is the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011. As the decision, cannot be reversed it requires a two-thirds majority to trigger an early General Election as in this year 2017.
The facts are, the EU will not change its negotiating stance if May has 12 or 112 majority. A large majority would increase her authority allowing her to railroad whatever she wants through Parliament for its duration. In June, you are voting in a General Election. It is not a vote of confidence in Teresa May or the single issue of Brexit. It is for you to choose who will best serve you across all issues including Brexit over the next five years.
There are two items that appear to be set in stone and I question them both.
Why does the chief negotiator have to be the Prime Minister?
Why is article 50 irrevocable?
If the best deal possible, before signing, was put to the people as a referendum and rejected by a super majority, it should be possible to remain a member as we are.
In the UK, there is chaos, confusion and division. All three fuelled by, austerity for those with little, super incomes for those with a lot and insecurity for the struggling majority. Is Brexit going to make a difference, is it cool? Will it deliver? Below is a 6-point reality check:
Immigration. To be halved. Not a chance!
Control. Take it back. Law makers yes, ordinary people will remain disempowered.
Red tape. Cut It. Good for the boss, bad for the worker.
Environment. Continued Improvements Yes, if it doesn’t cost money.
European Court of Human Rights Abolish it. Out goes collective wisdom, in comes narrow minded judgments
Living standards. Guaranteed higher Not possible without a major increase in productivity and investment
What we and the country need is a change of direction. We need a labour victory and Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister. Remember, “”.
Vote Labour Thursday 8th June 2017
Vote Jeremy Corbyn