Is it possible to have a second referendum on Brexit?
Personally, I don't think it is. Much to the disappointment of Remainers, there has been little shift in public opinion over the last two years. An average of polls shows a very small percentage shift to remain but well within the margin of error and nothing like the decisive shift that would be needed to mandate a second referendum.
In addition, there has been a hardening of attitudes among leave voters, with a majority of them saying they want a hard Brexit or a no deal Brexit. A no deal would be a disaster for everyone but if 98% of climate scientists can't convince partisan opposition of facts they don't want to believe, then a consensus of economists will have no such luck here.
When remainers see an incompetent government in meltdown over a bad idea that was impossible to deliver, leavers see an incompetent government in meltdown because it has sold out on achievable promises. That Britain is a second tier world power in a weak negotiating position is not what people want to hear.
In addition, the 'People's Vote' campaign has failed to connect with anyone outside its metropolitan liberal base. Worse than this, it has divided its base by alienating Corbyn supporters like myself on the Labour left. So much time and energy has been spent on blaming Corbyn for Brexit and in plotting a new breakaway party that left remainers have suspicion of the PV campaigners which borders on hostility. The remain camp is divided along the lines of the Labour Party Civil war two years ago.
Most Labour voters backed remain, especially in the cities but in small regional towns the picture is mixed and most Labour MPs are actually against a people's vote. Corbyn is not prepared to fight for the Brexit issue because its not his top priority and also because its not a battle he can win.
There are no good or easy options in this complex and messy situation. I still think that some kind of compromise soft Brexit is the most likely outcome but that will please nobody. The shit show must go on.
In addition, there has been a hardening of attitudes among leave voters, with a majority of them saying they want a hard Brexit or a no deal Brexit. A no deal would be a disaster for everyone but if 98% of climate scientists can't convince partisan opposition of facts they don't want to believe, then a consensus of economists will have no such luck here.
When remainers see an incompetent government in meltdown over a bad idea that was impossible to deliver, leavers see an incompetent government in meltdown because it has sold out on achievable promises. That Britain is a second tier world power in a weak negotiating position is not what people want to hear.
In addition, the 'People's Vote' campaign has failed to connect with anyone outside its metropolitan liberal base. Worse than this, it has divided its base by alienating Corbyn supporters like myself on the Labour left. So much time and energy has been spent on blaming Corbyn for Brexit and in plotting a new breakaway party that left remainers have suspicion of the PV campaigners which borders on hostility. The remain camp is divided along the lines of the Labour Party Civil war two years ago.
Most Labour voters backed remain, especially in the cities but in small regional towns the picture is mixed and most Labour MPs are actually against a people's vote. Corbyn is not prepared to fight for the Brexit issue because its not his top priority and also because its not a battle he can win.
There are no good or easy options in this complex and messy situation. I still think that some kind of compromise soft Brexit is the most likely outcome but that will please nobody. The shit show must go on.
41-45, M
