Brexit, the false good idea of a referendum

News Mondays - Diego Taboada

This Tuesday, the British House of Commons will vote on a Brexit deal that is likely to be rejected, as criticized by both sides - both Europhiles and supporters of a «hard» Brexit. The vote had already been postponed at the end of last year by the government in view of the lack of support, to allow the government to convince parliamentarians of the merits of the deal. Nevertheless, there seems to be no change in positions. 

This agreement, presented by Theresa May as the only possible alternative to widespread chaos - which is strangely reminiscent of the There is no alternative of Margaret Thatcher, from which the current Prime Minister has had to draw inspiration to keep up in the face of relentless attacks from all sides for over two years - is far from winning the support of parliament. After succeeding in what seemed the most difficult task - wresting a deal from Europeans who were prepared to make few concessions and were determined to set a tough example should any other member country be tempted to experiment with divorce - it was in the end her own camp that undermined May's efforts. 

While Parliament has been busy cooking the books this week to ensure that its own proposals take precedence over those of the government, giving itself the ability to delay Brexit according to some analysts, the fateful date of March 29 is drawing ever closer, and with it the dreaded possibility of a no-deal Brexit.

The risk of a new referendum 

As the impasse in the UK becomes clearer, the movement calling for a second referendum is gaining momentum. Refused outright by Theresa May, the leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn says he is open to the possibility of a new popular vote, but without enthusiasm, preferring early elections. This double game from an avowed anti-Europeanist who has never really extended a constructive hand, and who is prepared to do anything for electoral gain, comes as no surprise. 

Is a referendum the right solution? For a Swiss newspaper, this should be self-evident. But in the current British and European context, the answer is not so obvious. What would the British vote on? On the deal? On Brexit itself? And what would be the message of such a referendum? Wouldn't cancelling the previous decision because the practical difficulties are too great be a denial of democracy? Wouldn't the will of the people be flouted? It would then be easy for certain parties to take this on board, in a context of mistrust and rejection of the elites in our democracies. 

Some advocates of a new consultation have always argued that the people have been «lured» by fallacious arguments. Does this mean that we don't consider our citizens capable of voting with the elements in mind? Instead of a solution, a new referendum would risk further dividing an already fractured UK. At a time when democracy is under attack from all sides, going back on the June 23, 2016 decision could create problems whose consequences are today difficult to measure.

Write to the author: diego.taboada@leregardlibre.com

Photo credit: © Pixabay