I took part in a debate in Westminster Hall which was responding to a petition calling for the UK to leave the EU without further delay.
As much as I want us to leave the structures of the EU and chart our own course as an independent Britain I also know that we have to honour our obligations as we leave. The debate was used as another opportunity for those who voted to remain to argue against the UK having a referendum at all and calling for a second referendum.
People who refuse to accept the result are making securing a good deal with the remaining 27 countries of the EU more difficult.
Whilst robust debate is expected, attacks on the Civil Service by some colleagues suggest desperation. At the time of the referendum only 17% of the voters at that time wanted a hard Brexit, while as we know 48% voted to stay. I suggest a British compromise is the immediate outlook?
However many debates, challenges, private opinions about Brexit it doesn’t change the fact that a majority vote showed that the UK people want to leave the EU and the Government in power is obliged to carry out the electorate’s wishes (AS IS THEIR JOB) and support this majority vote whatever their individual feelings. This is not down to debate. This is not down to challenge. This is not down to private opinion. This is about a democratic vote from the people of the UK and an expectation that the Government in power carries out their wishes – not the ‘tail wagging the dog’. The more arguing, fighting and disloyalty within the cabinet is only making the Tory party look weaker and weaker thus distancing not only the life-long loyal voters but also discouraging the young, enthusiastic Tories of the future. Either agree to get together to sort out a fair and decent divorce from Europe or get rid of the dissenters ‘tout de suite’ and bring in a strong team who will actually back the will of the people.
I totally agree with everything you say
The result of all the dissent, blown up out of all proportion by the media, is to make the negotiations much MORE likely to end in a hard Brexit. As long as the rest of Europe see that there are splits in the ranks, they will try to get the upper hand. The EU do not want us to leave because we have been paying in a disproportionate amount for years and without our contribution the ‘gravy train’ will run off the rails. The doom and gloom mongers will cause the very things they are afraid of. It is already happening, with the value of sterling dropping, output going down. Why? because if you repeat something enough times it begins to be believed and yet at the moment absolutely nothing has changed, things are exactly the same as they were before the vote!
To the dissenters I would say, get over yourselves and all pull together to get the best deal we can.