My Letter to My MP Regarding the Parliamentary Vote on EU Referendum

Politicians like Iain Duncan Smith are claiming the results of the recent EU referendum offered a “very clear mandate from the British people” (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36633595). The reality is that a 51.9 vs. 48.1 split is as close to half for, and half against as any referendum is likely to deliver. Rather than the British people offering a clear mandate, the British people are in fact clearly divided.

The EU Referendum is advisory, and it requires a parliamentary vote to enact the result into law. Given that the result is so clearly divided, I have written to my MP asking him to think carefully about the numerous issues surrounding this topic before voting. I’ve put what I wrote below. If you would like to do likewise, please feel free to copy — paste — edit — email, or create your own letter, as you see fit. I suggest emailing because we don’t have a lot of time. A vote could take place as early as Tuesday (28th June). You can find out how to contact your MP at http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/ .

Dear <your MP>,

I am writing regarding the recent EU Referendum result. While Brexit politicians such as Iain Duncan Smith are claiming the referendum offered a “very clear mandate from the British people” (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36633595), the reality is that a 51.9 vs. 48.1 split is as close to half for, and half against as any referendum is likely to deliver. Rather than the British people offering a clear mandate, the British people are in fact clearly divided.

As you are aware, the referendum is only advisory, and it requires a vote in parliament to enact the result.

When you do come to vote, I ask you to remember that the result of the referendum is divided. If any mandate has been given by the British people, it is for parliament to decide what is in the best interests of the people of the United Kingdom.

By the time of the parliamentary vote you will no doubt be in a better position to have a clearer idea of what a post-Brexit UK will look like than any voter had at the time of voting.

So please consider how the young voted. Polls suggest that 73% voted Remain. It is their future more than that of my, older, generation, that will have to live with the consequences of this decision. Is it fair to impose this on them on the basis of such a divided vote?

Many of those that voted Leave have done so in the belief that we would still be able to have free-trade with the EU. Others have voted on the basis that we will be able to stop free movement. More have voted on the basis that we would no longer have to accept EU regulation being automatically being incorporated into our laws, or that there be more money for the NHS. With the elapse of time you should be in a better position to assess whether those that voted Leave are likely to get what they voted for.

Please look at the state of the Pound, the FTSE and news of companies that might be moving out of the UK. Is it likely that what was dismissed as Project Fear will actually turn into Project Reality? Are people’s job prospects or pensions likely to be diminished? If Leave voters didn’t expect this to happen, but it does, you have the opportunity to give them a second chance.

Will we be able to continue to coordinate medical research and scientific programs with Europe? Would we risk needlessly duplicating such important work, or worse, ceasing such work altogether? What impact would all the instability of breaking away from the EU have on the development of drugs to help people suffering from cancer and other severe diseases?

Please consider whether the break-up of the United Kingdom is a price worth paying for leaving the EU. There is much patriotic enthusiasm around the UK striking out on its own, independent of the shackles of the EU. But, with hindsight, if this is at the expense of the break of the United Kingdom, is that really what Leave voters would have wanted?

Please bear in mind that since the vote, it has transpired that many in the UK are frustrated and admitted to voting Leave as a protest vote. Not just against the EU, but the recession, austerity, the Prime Minister, Westminster and “the establishment” in general. In our First Past The Post voting system this is often a standard practice. For many people it’s one of the few satisfactions they can get out of voting, and it usually has no impact on the result. Many are now surprised and distressed to find that their vote did indeed make a difference. While they wanted to show their dissatisfaction they also wanted to fall short of causing a Leave result. Some may say “tough luck, that’s the way you voted.” But if as few as 1 in 50 Leave voters did so as a protest vote, one would in fact be saying “tough luck” not just to that 2%, but also to the 48% that didn’t make this mistake.

The Prime Minister has declined to be the one that takes us out of the EU because he doesn’t believe it is the right thing to do. Given this, the above turmoil and the indecisive nature of the referendum result, I believe each MP has an equal right to vote against something that they believe is not in the best interests of their constituents. If you find yourself in this position, please vote against ratifying the results of the referendum.

Yours sincerely,