If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Measure twice, cut once. Very provocative to distance NI from ROI. 3 years with the wind behind you but ...

No deal withdrawal from the EU means we do a Trump and break an international peace agreement

Withdrawal is a throwback to the 1940s and the heyday of our mighty British Empire that had just been so victorious, yet again, in 1945.  As Prime Minister Attlee observed, in explaining his feelings about Western Europe coming together: "The so called Common Market of six nations.  Know them all well.  Very recently this country spent a great deal of blood and treasure rescuing four or 'em from attacks by the other two."  Germany and Italy attacking France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands.  It revealed Attlee's incomprehension that perhaps the six were coming together to create a new future of friendship, co-operation and economic progress to such an extent, that war would never again be possible.  We were invited to take part but Andrew Marr in his 'A History of Modern Britain' tells of one minister, Herbert Morrison who had to make a quick decision over whether to attend a meeting on future European collaboration.  "He thought for a moment and shook his head.  'It's no good.  We can't do it.  The Durham miners won't wear it.'  For many Tories, watching from the sidelines, this was a disastrous mistake."  Marr p 129 and on p 26:
"Herbert Morrison, for his part, declared that the new socialist government of Britain was, 'friends of the jolly old Empire; we are going to stick to it'."

In recent decades, it was always a small number of Conservative MPs (about 80, I've heard) who, for ideological, doctrinaire and sovereignty reasons, were convinced that UK in the EU was fundamentally wrong.  Rather like some who are similarly convinced that every word in the Bible is literally true and inspired by God.  The fundamentalists.  The MPs in the ERG are convinced that sharing sovereignty with other countries is immoral, foolish and deeply wrong.  Yet, countries of the UK share their sovereignty with the UK Houses of Parliament.  Regions in those four countries share sovereignty with their national Parliament or Assembly.  District and borough councils share sovereignty with their Parliament or Assembly or Metro Mayor.

The EU is about nations coming together and working in co-operation with one another where that is sensible and practical, to benefit all.  But, for my wife the EU is wrong for Christian reasons.  She cites the story of the Tower of Babel where the people reached up to heaven to make a name for themselves.  They thought they knew better than God.  He was being challenged by their presumption.  He put a stop to this co-operative effort, the peoples were scattered and had their own languages.  The tower was never finished.

I remember, when at teacher training college from 1968 to 1971, there was one evangelical Christian who was strongly against the UK entering the EEC.  If I remember correctly, it was something to do with the number of countries in the EEC if Britain was to join and a quote from the book of Revelation in the Bible.  I remember his name more clearly - Fouzi Ayoub.

Many people, like me, made decisions on what to do about the 2016 referendum for the most weird and wonderful reasons.  One friend told me that he really had no idea how to vote for the best.   For many people, it was shear pot luck how they decided!  Three years on and we are all much better informed.

I abstained in the withdrawal referendum in 2016 because of the inability to get to see my MEPs or to even get a sensible response from them over the destruction of our railway network for buildings and trams.  Clearly, the EU was as keen on trams taking priority over reinstating the trains as our own politicians and transport planners.  Hence, I voted but put an 'X' next to where I had written in 'Abstain'.  Come to think of it, I may not have turned up at all to abstain.

Since the referendum, some are more aware and better informed over the implications of Brexit.  I realise that withdrawal is very disruptive throughout Europe and is endangering the Good Friday peace agreement.  Anything that distances N Ireland from the ROI is a red rag to a bull to those militant Republican dissidents who are already not hesitating to return to violence - more in 2019 than any previous year this century.

The move to devolution for Scotland and Wales was done slowly over a number of years.  With the even more important decision over our future in the EU, it was rushed with only one referendum and, even then, only a simple majority of 50% plus 1 required for such a monumental matter to be decided!

Probably, Jo Cox would still be alive today if Cameron had not called the referendum.  It was a massive mistake by him.  He could have decided on a 60% majority being needed for withdrawal.  Or, he could have said it was advisory only.  Or, that the final decision was up to a free vote for the MPs as to what we should do.

The debate over our future in Europe did not begin until after the June 2016 referendum.  Very few were fully informed before we all had to make a decision.  Many of us did not know whether it was best to go 'Yes' or 'No'.  Mine was a protest abstention believing, as one reason, that it should never have been called. What Ian Hislop said that Margaret Thatcher advised was right.  Apparently, she said it was too complicated an issue to put to the people in a referendum.  So don't do it.

Above all, billions are spent on getting out of Europe that means yet more greenhouse gases, fewer finite resources, more strain on the planet's life support systems and, at the very time when closeness and collaboration is essential to deal with extinction episode no 6 that we are in the midst of.

Three years have gone by, with the Prime Minister, her ministers and Whitehall trying to get a deal acceptable to a simple majority of MPs of remainers and leavers.  There have been three years and three big defeats for the 52% who wanted out.  That should be enough to make it obvious that a Brexit deal of any kind - hard, soft or anything in between is unachievable.  The final desperate throw of the dice for a disorderly crashing out is totally irresponsible and was never voted on anyway.

After 3 years of trying and being very trying, a 'true' or 'fundamentalist' or 'literal' Brexit is undeliverable.  Revoke Article 50.

SUMMARY
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Measure twice, cut once.  In 2016, many did not have a clue how to vote or not vote.
The whole thing was rushed with only one vote to decide such a monumental matter.
Very provocative for the violent thugs and criminals in distancing NI from ROI.
3 years with the wind behind you but still nothing achieved because the leavers want a range of different things from leaving.
The herd instinct now demands a thoughtless, impatient, desperate 'Get out at all costs' Brexit.  'Stop the world I want to get off', meaningless mentality!
The rather better informed MPs should be allowed to trump the people on something as life changing as EU membership.

Brexit shambles is all part of the problem

Is a true Brexit really practical or possible?  Everything works well with trade so why upset it all?  If it ain't broke don't fix it.
There are so many different versions of Brexit

It is all a wasteful and wrong diversion from tackling the number one threat to all life on earth, viz human induced climate breakdown.

It is costing billions in paper, to-ing and fro-ing and, with all the hard work in preparation.
There has to be many more years of renegotiating trade deals once we do leave.  I think this is a complete waste and diversion of tackling climate breakdown and resource depletion.
The more we spend, the more fossil fuels we use and the more greenhouse gases are emitted to enhance, catastrophically, the natural greenhouse protective layer.

It is putting the Good Friday Peace Agreement under strain.  Republicans do not want anything that will distance themselves from the Republic of Ireland or make things even slightly more awkward and slower in crossing the border.  Jan 2019 car bomb.  March 4 letter bombs.  The murder of Lyra McKee.  It could lead to the 'The Troubles, Part 2'.  Certainly, smuggling will be given a nice boost to help the coffers of the criminal and violence wins fraternity.

Any excuse for the men of violence to restart the troubles.  England may not escape.

Measure twice; cut once.  The basic principle of all construction from engineering to sewing.
A second referendum is needed to check out whether this really is what the British public want, now we are a lot wiser about the intractable problems involved.
The debate on Brexit did not really start until AFTER the referendum.
For some voters it was pure pot luck how they voted.  Many did not know which way to vote.
Have we learnt anything over the last three years?
Are we not better informed over the conundrum of the Irish border that never got a look in before the do or die referendum?
Such a momentous decision should never have been left to a narrow, "1% margin is enough" to decide it.  It was never like that over the referendums held over devolution for Wales and Scotland.  They were not rushed.  Membership of the EU is even more important than an assembly or a parliament for those two countries that took years of voting in the 1990s.

Two smaller countries on the periphery did not want to come out of the EU.  Only England and Wales wanted out.

52/48% to leave was not nearly enough to justify the vast expense and disruption incurred when things were working smoothly.

This is all a throw back to colonial days when we ruled the foreigners, we knew best and were a cut above the rest.  After all, we did have the biggest and longest running empire in the history of humanity.
Our successful and glorious past leads us to think we can do without the EU.  Our Royal Navy ruled the waves and our Brave British Army kept the native hordes in the colonies under control.  We can do it again without any membership of the EU.
Brexit was partly an anti-immigrant, anti foreigner vote.  We heroic Brits came racing to Europe's 'rescue' twice in the last century.  Hence, we never joined at the beginning.  To reflect this superiority, we are the only nation with 'Great' as part of our name.  We great, peace loving, Brits are just too great for the war mongering Europeans!  Why do we need them?  (tongue in cheek)

A week before the June 2016 referendum, Jo Cox was murdered by a pro white racist.  I think, she would still be alive today if it had not been for the referendum.

Europe is showing immense patience, forbearance and still wants us in!
So many Germans I have met genuinely love us Brits!  What on earth for?  Some even sent us an official, German government backed, 'love' letter in 2018!

Brexit has too many pitfalls, too much uncertainty, too many risks - especially to peace in N Ireland; offhandedly and so typically dismissed as Operation Fear by the English who have never had much interest in the too often, most unfortunate history of our unwelcomed involvement in Ireland down the centuries.

It is a most unfortunate diversion from reversing the troubled earth turning into lifeless venus horror show.

Apartheid sorted; N Ireland sorted; Israel/Palestine sorted when?

Magnificent magnanimity from the South African government led to a peaceful transition from the immoral apartheid state, to majority rule there.

Amazing perseverance from outside politicians and concessions from both sides led to the Good Friday peace agreement and, for many years now, far fewer killings in N Ireland.  Dr Ian Paisley was transformed and even became, almost, best friends with a former IRA commander, Martin Maginnis.  They were even known as the chuckle brothers from all their laughter, such was their similar sense of humour.  Astonishing, astounding but, proves what can be achieved.  Oh, for the miracle of Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas becoming benevolent and bosom buddies!

When will Israel and Palestine, similarly get together?  First, actually sit in the same room in the White House and talk about the weather would be a good start!  Let them indulge only in small talk for the first few meetings.  Better, get them to play funny games together, watch romantic comedies, to see the 'Sound of Music' together or 'Cool Runnings'.  Next, when the're all smiling and happy, sit them down to thrash out compromise, concessions and some amazing mutual magnanimity and self sacrifice to bring, at least, an uneasy peace with justice, some kind of harmony between the peoples; even peaceful co-existence and tolerance, if not actual acceptance.

One problem, I think, is right wing thinking that brought us colonialism, empire building by the Western European nations, leading to one of them going one better than imperialism with their Nazism.  The 1945 victors have since defended their 'colonies' and dependencies - called defending their vital strategic interests around the world (or, more domination to bring democracy, freedom and the blessings of Western Christian culture down the barrel of a gun).  Such foreign policy is not about fairness with peace; not about living within our own borders; is not conducive to compromise and land sharing.  Hence, our ally and friend, Israel continues this white man thinking, this Judeo-Christian tradition, with its perpetual right wing, coalition governments that think like the West with disputes settled by coercion and military might is right - always first and last and only.  Thus, Prime Minister Netanyahu ups the anti with his tendency for a "belligerent stance",  "warmongering rhetoric", and "messianic impulse" (Yuval Diskin, former head of the Israel Security Agency, aka Shin Bet; former Mossad chief Meir Dagan,^[124] and the RAND Corporation in the US.  Taken from Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Netanyahu)

Another problem is that the fundamentalist, evangelical Christians in both Israel and the USA/UK want biblical prophecy quickly fulfilled, Armageddon and the return of Christ to wind things up and themselves taken to be with the Lord for eternity.

"The Jews were the first victims of the Nazis and the Palestinians are the last."  Peter Ustinov

"We either live together as brothers and sisters of the one human family on this one and only planet or, we perish as fools." So far, the latter is looming. But the true, born again believers have nothing to worry about because they will be taken up to be with the Lord!