Good one, Lord Jim! I’m not a big supporter of the Lords in principle but recognise firstly that there is a desperate need for a second chamber in a deeply conflicted nation and secondly that there are some very fine principled and expert individuals sitting there. It is deeply worrying that we need appointees to protect us from the crudeness and in the Remain case from the abandonment by our elected representatives. Nevertheless you make a clear and cogent case for what the Remain lobby has to do next. It may even be the case that thoughtful Brexiters will find common ground with us, if we keep it simple and respectful and on point.

I would respectfully draw a distinction between respecting the referendum and respecting the majority who voted for the outcome. The referendum was an ill designed artifact designed to paper over splits in the Conservative party. It was impossibly simple minded in its question and I cannot recall another situation where such a constitutional issue was decided on a simple first past the post system. Yes we have fptp for general elections, but that is because in these elections there will be an opposition party. We in the UK do not have representation in HM opposition for the sizeable minority that voted remain on this vital issue. It is with deep shame and disgust, that I note the failure of Corbyn to lead his troops into designing a better referendum in 2015 and in registering principled opposition to a hard Brexit in 2017.

We, who voted remain, deserve to have voices raised on our behalf. Democracy is more developed in the UK than the ghastly “winner takes all” meme, Brexit means Brexit. We rightly support and protect other minorities, and even though I believe that remain is more than a minority there is largely neither support nor protection in the other place. Shut up and like it is the only option on offer. Well not for me thank you. I reserve the right together with majorities in all our major cities, in Scotland and in Northern Ireland to continue to think European and to agitate for a strong relationship with it.

Thank you for what you have done already and for what you will do. I hope the latter will include addressing and speaking for those of us who are having our needs and hopes dismissed.