Doug Morton
Jul 25, 2017 · 2 min read

If this is not to be just another opinion piece on this subject you must be able to back this by evidence. And to be really effective, this evidence must report the status at the point of deciding and not after the fact. What is you evidence for this statement and how substantial was this minority?

I am a pro European and I voted to remain. I understand what is meant by Brexit means Brexit and I also understand that the consequences of Brexit are wide ranging and highly complex. And also that they could not be settled in advance of the referendum. I am not so arrogant to assume that many of the UK voters did not understand this.

The people of the UK voted to leave the institutions of the EU. That is what Brexit means and only that. The attempt by politicians and the media to explain the consequences of this decision in simplistic terms such as hard and soft Brexit is I think regrettable.

I am increasingly becoming resigned to leave. I have come to this conclusion since I realise that the consequences of Brexit will never be clear, certainly not in the short term. The prospect any time soon that the people could make a better decision against a clearer evidence based analysis of the outcomes given each option is fanciful. Our politicians and our media are simply incapable of presenting such clarity. This is partly because given the nature of the consequences it is genuinely difficult to determine their impact. But it is mostly because they choose not to try.

So that even if I got my wish to remain through some contortion of the UK democratic process, it would be an empty victory similar to the one leavers enjoyed last year. Our Nation would still be divided and for the most part bemused. Some may think ‘ if in doubt, do nowt’. That at least there would be no change to manage so less risk. And I think there is some merit in this but even that is not the full picture.

The EU is not the main reason for the fractures that exist in our society, it’s not the problem and so Brexit is not the solution. Real change is necessary, in or out. And maybe burning down the ( EU) house at least forces change, presents an opportunity for a deep reform in how we Govern things, what kind of Country we want to be.

Even if we stay, the EU needs to change. And just because we have hitherto turned a blind eye to European politics, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t in future be influential in steering the changes as we will certainly be affected by them. And this also applies whether In or Out.

    Doug Morton

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    Practicing writing because I love words.....