Why I signed a petition I don’t agree with

Like more than 3 million other British Citizens I’ve signed the petition EU Referendum Rules triggering a 2nd EU Referendum calling on the government to “to implement a rule that if the remain or leave vote is less than 60% based a turnout less than 75% there should be another referendum.”

I’m not entirely comfortable with the idea that the referendum should be re-ran based on a set of rules that weren’t in place in the legislation that invoked the vote in the first place. But I signed anyway. I have also shared it on twitter and some forums a few times to encourage others to consider signing it.

The original petition was instigated by Oliver Healey, a supporter of the right-wing nativist English Democrat party who posted it in anticipation of a Remain victory. I’m a left progressive so my views don’t chime with Healey at all .I voted remain. I’m European by mindset, forget passports, political unions and anything else. I’m in favour of social solidarity beyond the borders of historical kings and queens. I want to stay and work for a radical renewal of Europe.

So why sign and encourage others to so so?

The petition has taken on a life of its own. It is the outpouring of a serious number of my fellow citizens who dismayed that the vote turned out as it did. It reflects something about the campaign — from both Remain and Brexit, a campaign that was constructed and conducted in a hall of mirrors. Yes, this petition was conceived for entirely opposite reason, but its a reflection of a referendum that was always about something else.

When parliament reconvenes in the coming days, and when the government, however it is constituted after the resignation of the PM, consider this momentous vote in preparation for invoking Article 50 it will also know that a large body of voters, from both sides, are concerned at how the campaigns played out.

Ironically, for the winners one of their arguments was about democracy and listening to the people and doing what they want. We know that the government will do nothing about this petition. It will not re-run the vote. And rightly so. But it can take note of how the nation is feeling, and seriously the next steps be configured. Something it seems that leaders from both campaigns failed to do so far. Neither set of leaders expected this.

So I’m urging everyone, including Exit voters, to sign this petition to influence all our MPs to use their parliamentary position and powers to consider this moment with due care an attention. Britain has taken a step into the unknown, we must now tread with immense care.

Please sign https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/131215/