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.
