Many lies and half-truths have been told about Brexit. The most obvious is, of course, the £350m a week for the NHS. This lie was revealed immediately after the Referendum result was announced. However at LCD Views, we believe that there is a bigger lie, which originated in the rabid prose of the tabloid press. This lie is that Brexit is the Will Of The People.
Neither side of the argument can come away with much credit. But the focus of this article is not what was said during the Referendum campaign. Neither is it to look at the pros and cons of Brexit. This article looks at the current state of the debate or, more accurately, the lack of it.
First, the facts. The Referendum asked whether the UK should remain in the European Union or leave it. 17m voted leave, 16m voted remain. 13m did not vote, and 18m were ineligible.
Secondly, democracy. The word means, literally, rule by the people. In the UK, this principle works by delegating representatives to speak, and debate, on behalf of their constituents. Though by no means a perfect system, it functions well enough most of the time.
Thirdly, this phrase The Will Of The People. This conjures images of the population speaking as one, united in a common cause. Although 100% unity is virtually impossible, a substantial majority favouring an objective is acceptable. 52% of votes cast is in no way substantial. Out of 64m people in the UK, 17m voted leave. This is roughly 27% of The People. The Will Of The People is a lie.
Brexit is occurring on the strength of the Referendum vote. Yet any challenge to the legality of Brexit, or debate as to its effects, has been shut down. “It is The Will Of The People. You cant argue with democracy.” Precisely. Democracy means respecting all views, including those of the 16m remainers, the 18m ineligible, and the 13m non-voters.
The Referendum was advisory, and there was a small majority, among those who voted, in favour of leaving the EU. Parliament blithely accepted, without so much as a whimper, that the Referendum result is a mandate for Brexit. Why? It is, naturally, The Will Of The People.
This is not democracy. This is not The Will Of The People. The People were hoodwinked. The Will Of The People is a lie.
It appears that opposition to Brexit has been cowed by The Will Of The People. There has been no challenge to the lie, from the major political parties, the press, or even the BBC. In this intellectual vacuum, the debate has been reduced to the level of the primary-school playground. ”We won, you lost, get over it. Ner nerny ner ner.” Even our elected representatives are at it.
Brexit is not The Will Of The People. The People have almost no idea of the repercussions of Brexit. They voted on the basis of propaganda and xenophobia. Facts and predictions were almost completely absent in the run-up to the Referendum. Any subsequent data, analysis or opinion which is contradictory to the ideals of a hard Brexit is dismissed. Opposition is branded as betrayal, sabotage, enemy of democracy, defying The Will Of The People.
This is wrong. Democracy requires a healthy debate, and the Referendum should have served as a convenient starting point, not the last word.
The Will Of The People is Brexit’s biggest lie. Dont fall for it.