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WHEN THE PEOPLE of the United Kingdom went to the polls last year, they were faced with one clear option and one extremely unclear option. The clear option was the status quo: The UK would remain as a member of the European Union. The second option was to leave the EU.
What exactly that meant was at that time, and indeed still is, a complete mystery. Many on the Leave side painted Utopian visions of the UK being restored as a global power with the resurgence of the Empire and the ability to be free from the shackles of European bureaucracy, that has supposedly been holding the UK back since 1973.
Unclear what Brexit will look like
A year on from the Referendum and following two rounds of detailed negotiations, it is far from clear what Brexit will look like, be it soft, hard or red white and blue. It is becoming apparent that the desires of the hard line Brexiteers will certainly not be met. The UK will have to meet its financial commitments in the form of a divorce bill and the UK will also need to compromise on a range of other areas.
In addition, the tidal wave of new trade deals has not been forthcoming. In the period that the EU has signed new trade deals with Canada and Japan, the UK has been abruptly told by countries such as Australia that any trade deal will only come after a deal with the EU is signed.
Even though Brexit has yet to actually occur, the UK’s economy has suffered with tepid growth rates according to the IMF, declines in household savings and growth while sterling is 11% down against the dollar and 18% down against the euro.
At this stage, there is only one mainstream party advocating for an exit from Brexit in the form of the traditional pro-European voices in the Liberal Democrats. Prime Minister Theresa May was a reluctant Remainer as Home Secretary. Now she leads a government whose Brexit position seems to be increasingly driven by the big four Eurosceptic beasts, in the form of David Davis, Liam Fox, Michael Gove and Boris Johnston, with sensible politicians like Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond being constantly undermined.
A clear vacuum in the Brexit debate
Buoyed by a credible result in the General Election campaign, Jeremy Corbyn remains as leader of the opposition and leader of the supposedly pro-European Labour Party. This is a complex position as prior to becoming leader and prior to the referendum campaign, Jeremy Corbyn was a determined Eurosceptic.
After a terrible effort in the referendum campaign itself, Corbyn has begun to reveal his true colours advocating a hard Brexit.
Within Scotland, the SNP is more focused on running its own referendum, a second Independence Referendum. In Northern Ireland, the continuing stand-off in Stormont means Northern Ireland’s voice is solely being communicated by the pro Brexit DUP MPs currently propping up the Conservative government.
This means that there is a clear vacuum in the Brexit debate in the UK, with no one materially pushing for a second referendum or a de-triggering of Article 50. A few well-intentioned, but realistically toothless, interventions from former leading politicians simply do not have any material bearing over the debate.
A second referendum
Given the fact that just 52% of people in the UK voted to leave in the EU in the first place and given that only one outcome was ever demonstrated clearly, it would seem eminently sensible to me that following the conclusion of the Brexit negotiations, before the great repeal Act is passed by the Houses of Parliament, that perhaps the people of the UK should be consulted once again in the form of a second referendum.
A second referendum campaign could be run with the electorate given two very clear options. Remain within the EU or leave based on the terms of the Brexit negotiations.
It is here that I believe that Ireland, as the EU member state that will most be impacted by Brexit, could intervene in this process by proposing an amendment to the negotiation terms requiring that any deal is put before the people in the form of a referendum.
It would be a risky move but it could focus the minds of the UK government to take the negotiations a bit more seriously and if it were to come to pass it would prove a welcome opportunity for the people of the UK to have a genuine and open debate about two substantive options before voting accordingly.
Senator Neale Richmond is the Fine Gael spokesman on EU Affairs in Seanad Éireann and was the Chairman of the Seanad Brexit Committee.
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Yeah we have experience with having the same referendum twice over here. What part of “leave’ do some people not get?
@gerard carey:
The fact that it was so close may suggest that the a lot of people don’t want to leave and also the impact of protest voting against the government can also influence the vote. What part of this do you not understand?
@gerard carey: People have regrets, wish to revisit decisions and change their minds all the time. Nothing is permanent. Politics and constitutional matters are no different. Most people accept this change except those who opinion the change goes against.
@Brendan Cooney: Brendan, if we were to follow your way of thinking we might as well abandon democracy and let the loudest voices have their way . Second guessing the electorate is dangerously close to dictatorship.
@gerard carey: the good riddance part ?
@John Campbell:
Is the fundamental of democracy to let the loudest voice get their way. The more people put their voices together the louder they get
It’s best to profit from their stupidity in the UK. Our sole focus should be on transferring job from the UK to Ireland. Northern Ireland is a perfect place to plunder for employment. Our allies are in Europe not the UK. Te IDA should target every possible job in Northern Ireland as a rule.
@Nick Allen: so why do you think people cast protest votes. If you feel disenfranchised and unrepresented well a protest vote is your next logical step. They have made their beds
@Patrick Murphy: if a company moves to the ROI from NI, it will simply transfer it’s northern workforce south of the border. there will be no extra jobs for ROI residents
@gjpb: Perhaps it would initially retain its Northern workforce, but future staff turnover is likely to have staff recruited south of the border. Probably more importantly, corporate and PAYE taxes would at least be paid to the Irish Revenue.
@Steve B: why would future staff be hired south of the border when you can hire cheaper 10 mins up the road in newry.
remember northern companies just want access to the EU by having some ROI office. they are not moving entire operations to the ROI.
as for CT, I am sure very little will be paid!
Nothing stopping the Brits changing their minds.
@gjpb: Ni is no longer part of the EU, so no people cannot just stroll across the border without a work permit. Good luck with that.
@Charles McCarthy: NI is still part of the EU from what I see.
Everyone is aiming for a soft border on the island so yes people will stroll across the border
@Nick Allen: If being so close (2%) is an acceptable reason to call for another referendum, would it have been tolerated if the remain side had won? I doubt it. If it were allowed then we should be allowed to have Lisbon mark 3! Democracy seems to be dead and gone in the EU.
@gerard carey: He is one of the FFG brigade where democracy is ignored to achieve the ‘right’ result…
@Nick Allen:
What part of the democracy don’t you understand?
@John Hagin Meade: But that’s exactly why the EU did recommend a clear result – have a proper majority – for or against, instead of going with a small percent of a difference. Those are decent guidelines. The EU did point out that a result can be too close to call.
Britain, as a member of the EU, was free to adopt that as best practice. And was free to do their own thing instead. You don’t get it, do you? Britain chose not to. Britain could easily have stated that a tiny percentage is divisive, isn’t a clear majority in favour. Britain could have said that the turnout to give a decision on a major national issue has got to be 10%. And the result will be acted on if there are, say, more than 15% voting for the proposal, and they didn’t. No one was forcing that on them.
@Brendan Cooney: There has been an anti EU and even anti anything European in mainly England. They have been a nuisance in the conservative party and they developed a separate anti anything EU political party Ukip , the referendum was an attempt to silence these people and it backfired , the Brits voted for them and their brexit , do you think these guys are going to forego their victory , they would rip the UK apart first , Brexit has to happen , the future will then be decided by its consequences .
@gerard carey: so you won’t mind if they’re asked again then.
@gerard carey: Perhaps you didn’t read the first two paragraphs?
@Diarmuid: It’s not so much a change of minds, but, as is pointed out in the opening paragraphs, we had no idea what the details of any deal might be – in fact, we were lied to across the board. We now need a referendum of the specific terms of a deal. If the Tories can ever work out what it is they are demanding of the EU, that is… And if democracy is alive and well, there won’t be a problem with that, will there?
Senator Neale Richmond calling for a second referendum on brexit. Why?
This is not for us to decide.
Unlike our government where mastricht and the lisbon treaties had to be voted on twice to force a European agenda through, britain have made their decision (for better or worse).
I personally believe we should have left with England and maybe then it would have put the “fear of God” into the European Parliament and give us a better bargaining tool with the EU to negotiate our sovereign debt, or at least the threat of leaving with the UK, considering their close proximity and the amount of import and export trade between the two countries.
@Trevor Hayden: fair play, day only starting and yet you have nailed down the stupidest comment of the day
@Trevor Hayden:
Please tell me that is just a joke to make us all smile in the morning and that you don’t honestly believe that.
@Trevor Hayden: The Fear of God lol that would do it
@Trevor Hayden: Dumbest most naive comment if the week never mind the day. Indeed leave the EU Ireland and the EU will immediately fold and give us billions because we are … so important/likeable (insert your favourite word). Blackmail is so effective isn’t it? How did that work out for David Cameron?
I despair when I read comments like this. Ill thought out and based on emotion not facts or reason. Interesting that some Irish want to leave the EU and see us once again in the UKs back pocket. No thank you. I like an independent Ireland which is a part of a broader Union of fellow States while retaining its independence. Unlike you, clearly, I remember what ireland was like before we joined he EU. It’s a pity more Brexiteers don’t remember what the UK was like the “Sick man of Europe”!
@John R: And how, please explain john are we independent when we have to have all our budgetary needs approved by Brussels?
@Dark Knight: So dark night being the obedient little yes men to all of Europe’s qualms is alright for you is it? Our budgets must be approved by Brussels each October, Oliver twist pops to mind “please sir can i have some more”
@Nick Allen: No nick, no joke, id like a government with a spine who could stand up to Europe and say enough is enough, we have a hospital crisis, suicide epidemic, and mass homelessness due to the almighty European overlords.
Time to start putting our own people first.
@Trevor Hayden: Europe has caused a suicide epidemic… oh do tell?
@Patrick Murphy: Did I blame Europe Patrick?
Its our inept government who keeps pandering to their every whim instead of representing the electorate, so in a way yes Europe is to blame.
We’ve become the obedient little yes men, the joke of our European counterparts. As far as our government and the European Parliament are concerned the suicide epidemic here are mere “casualties” of the ” paddy power style” bondholders and “risk men.
The financial crisis of 08 was not just an Irish problen iit was global.
@Trevor Hayden: Hankering for the good old days of the British Empire, are we?
@Ken Loughman: No ken, hankering for fairness and equality for the Irish electorate.
You mention the “god old days of the British empire”.
Last year we had a shambolic display of governmental backslapping during the centenary of the 1916 ceremonies while being under the thumb of Europe (or should I say german rule).
Please explain your patriotism now, ken.
Leaving the EU would be economic and cultural suicide for this great country.
@Trevor Hayden: Any idea what our “divorce” bill would be if we were to leave and where would we the money, morals are fine until you get the bill for them.
@Charles McCarthy: If we were free from the EU, charles we could negotiate a deal, just as Britain is doing on their terms.
@Trevor Hayden:
Are you in any way related to Donald Trump
That is the worst thing we could do
@Trevor Hayden:
Or do you work for the HSE or another Government department
Muppet
@Mark Walsh: Why so mark, because FF/FG have told you so?
Obviously your children or their children’s future is of no importance to you if we continue to be enslaved by the EU.
We were once a proud nation, now just mere stragglers, obeying our masters and accepting the status quo.
Are you currently happy with the economy and Europe mark?
Answers that before referring to me as a muppet.
@Trevor Hayden: *facepalm*
Ireland should also demand a re-run of the US presidential election. Is this article for real?
@alphanautica: exactly. Another example of our politicians living in cloud cuckoo land. Can we survive another three weeks of silly season statements from nonentities?
There will be a re-run, in 3 years.
The Brits can likewise change their minds on the idiotic course they’ve taken.
To be honest its their bed. They must sleep in it. Instead of our officials trying to make uk to do something different, how about in trying to make more deals with other countries to keep our economy going
@Michael Collins: It’s time to forget about the UK. We should teach them a valuable lesson. The border will destroy Northern Ireland but I say to hell with them anyways.
@Patrick Murphy: I wouldnt say destroying the uk. But for us to be truly independent .
@Patrick Murphy: are you james Connolly back with a new account?? seem like a troll
@Patrick Murphy: I vote for you to be independent to the rest of us with those ideas!
‘It would focus the minds of the UK government to take the negotiations a bit more seriously’
What an ignorant think to say, just shows that you are looking for a populist reaction rather than genuinely looking for the right solution. To suggest that the UK government is not taking the issue of Brexit seriously is naive beyond all belief.
@Nick Allen: spot on.
@Nick Allen: Are you so sure? Is that why they never planned for a Brexit outcome? They just pushed for a result, and left the planning until after? Giving BoJo the Minister For Foreign Affairs, to the chagrin of European counterparts? Using a 12th hour alliance with the DUP in order to secure their position for Brexit…
Yeah they took the whole affair seriously.
@Nick Allen: you’re kidding right? The EU have been asking the UK what they want for a year now and they still can’t decide. They can’t climb down from Brexit because their egos are too big and I think Ireland demanding a second referendum would be a get out of jail card for them. Won’t happen but still.
Really? This is what our Senators do when they are not talking about seagulls?
Telling them to vote again can only result in bad blood. May has repeatedly stated there will be no second referendum. Repeatedly. It seems that either the ‘Brexit committe’ has nothing to do or are entirely clueless.
@Andy K: I would guess entirely clueless
Has he been reading the John Delaney book of management, oh ask for an extra place at the world cup! How’d the senator feel if the UK asked us to vote again on something. I think people should focus now on the future and stop b#tchin about the past!
For a minute there I thought he was advocating that WE hold a referendum on leaving the EU !! But then I read the article. :-)
Brexit means Brexit, let’s make it a good hard Brexit that will reinvigorate politics. I am pro-business
Is this a parody account? Lol.
If Britain can’t convince Britain to hold a second referendum then they’re hardly going to cave to the advice of the Paddies next door. What a silly article.
This sounds like the FAI asking for a 33rd spot to be awarded in the World Cup because Henry hand balled the ball. Embarrassing!
@Mark O’Connor: maybe it hasn’t dawned on you yet but it was a joke, it seems only yourself and Sep Blatter took it seriously, two dopes.
@Mr Phil Officer: John Delaney confirmed he’d asked for it, you eejit. Whether it was in jest or not, it was embarrassing to even ask. One of many John Delaney’s embarrassing actions.
Hearing a lot about UK growth being slowest in Europe – its at full employment unlike most of Europe
Revoting in expectation of a different answer. The Irish way, or at least the muppet government’s way.
What might i ask have you had for your breakfast? ,both labour and the conservatives are at war over europe ,another referendum would tear the country a part ,the united kingdom does not do second referendums unlike the republic of ireland .we have been tied to the sterling ,we have had the punt ,now we have the euro ,get over it .modern economies are flexible and creative ,markets especially the financial services industry find their own equilibrium quite quickly .the uk economy is doing quite well ,one of the lowest unemployment rates in europe .it will find its footing and it relationship with europe will be different but only marginally ,they have a vast market which we all want to tap into .I would suggest you spend your time improving our own second rate ,health services ,housing ,law and order ,and making financial services regulation work ..
ah, an Irish solution to a European problem. vote and vote again until you get the right result
How is it Ireland’s business?
Jesus if this is the best they can up we’re fukced … how much do we as tax payers pay this clown?
Can we rerun the Lisbon & Maastricth also.
Yes, foreign government interference is a really good idea.
Or not.
Even if the UK were to contemplate revoking article 50 there has to be total agreement with the 27 for that to be accepted. It is not clear whether this would be the case.
It is highly likely that any reacceptance would be dependent on the UK would have to make concessions, like losing the rebate, agreeing to monetary union, EU army etc.
It is highly unlikely that, having seen the attitudes of their friendly neighbours, the UK electorate would pass this.
@Damocles: Revoking article 50 would not be an occasion for re-negotiating the terms of involvement no more than Cameron could change, in any meaningful way, the pillars of the EU . The UK would return with more influence and work inside the structure to address concerns that affect all other countries rather than slouching back like an errant member who has seen the light.
@Gerald Kelleher: you think those friendly people in the EU 27 wouldn’t want a little quid pro quo? That seems very naive to me.
Brexit is here,it was a bad decision for the Republic of Ireland but it will have catastrophic consequences in the U.K. as the economic effects cut into the supply of basic public services ,and the lower paid struggle for the necessities of life
There will be a lot of political turmoil on both Islands,and in ten years ,once powerful mainstream parties will have splintered to the far ends of the spectrum.This event is more profound for Ireland,a Republic that has struggled since its founding for economic dependence from its neighbour,we live in interesting times
@Brian O Reilly: in a sense thats why union would have been the workable option at the time for all quarters of the UK. Agri products have a time sensitive shelf life. But still couln’t get over the romantic notions.
Anyone in the U.K. with an IQ over 75 is anti-Brexit. The more we help deliver the British people from this looming disaster the more popular we will be with anyone who matters.
@Paul O’Brien: on the hand we could get on with our lives and leave them to it
@Boganity: don’t forget we have skin in the game too. While we may gain a few advantages from Brexit, the overall effect will be economically damaging and politically destabilising. It’s in our interest to point out the big mistake they are making.
@Paul O’Brien: Anyone with the sense and foresight to see the inevitable collapse of the euro coming between now and about 2021, is probably pro Brexit as they want to get as far as they can away from it and batten down the hatches. So, Britain will be fine one way or the other. Unlike the French, they work hard, Unlike the Germans and eurozone, they have control over their own currency and can protect themselves in ways we cannot.. Not joining the euro was likely the smartest move they made. So leaving the EU may not be such a bad thing either,
@Paul O’Brien: anyone with an IQ over 75 also recognises why Britexit had to happen, and why your comment appears a tad arrogant.
Ireland telling the Brits what to do is silly.But the idea that the British get a second vote on Brexit when the deal is done and the full effects of the deal are visible actually has merit.If would actually be more democratic to do that as people would have hard facts to base their decision rather than lies ( the 300 million a day lie definitely affected some voters) or some fuzzy idea of making Britian great again
In any vote, the incumbent position is always more certain and known than the non-incumbent position. That is an inherent quality of being the non-incumbent.
If we followed Senator Richmond’s logic, we should never vote on anything. The status quo should always remain in place because the alternative is too uncertain.
I would feel the choices expressed by the author of this article are the same that created this situation in the first place. A hugely complicated position expressed in terms of Yes/No is about as crude as it gets and left the wider population prone to populist politics and this cannot be undone so easily. People do feel their national traditions via Sovereignty are being squeezed .
” After a terrible effort in the referendum campaign itself, Corbyn has begun to reveal his true colours advocating a hard Brexit.”
Corbyn was the leader closest to the sentiments of the electorate – he reflected the complexities and ambiguities of a referendum called by the Conservative Party to settle a long-standing party rift. He’s going to be the next UK Prime minister, bit of diplomacy wouldn’t go a miss.
Richmond showing his distaste for democracy here – only those agreeing with his position are ‘sensible’, while anybody with a differing opinion should be made vote again as their position clearly not worthy of those ‘sensible’ types (who created the mess in the first place) like Mr Hammond.
The contempt for democracy these groups have is staggering, irrespective of where one stands on the rights and wrongs of Brexit – It was a democratic exercise and therefore to maintain any respect for the Institutions of State, the result has to be accepted. Another referendum now would only massively increase support for the far-right and would play into the hands of Mr Farage and his friends in the hard-right media.
I find it hard to believe that Mr Richmond is so ignorant of these realities. The Tories called the referendum, stood over the result and are now negotiating Brexit. Leave them at it. When and if the economic car-crash happens, talk of referendums can then take place.
Irish politicians should butt out of British affairs – they only referendum should be a border poll
It would make the leaders of the Irish people look truly undemocratic, and intellectually barren, if we were to make such a pathetic and absurd request as Neale Richmond is suggesting.
Full on trolling the DUP now, can imagine Ian Paisley Jr twitching away to himself while reading this article
Labour is not pro Europe. This is clear from the party’s policies and leadership stance.
Lets keeping voteing until the gov get the answer they want.
Who is this guy? After reading this the only referendum we should have another run at is the one on abolishing the Seanad. The english people had their say and it’s not Irelands place to stand in their way
It strikes me as a bit mad that a referendum was held, without all the pros and cons being known first. I for one would love to be offered an opportunity to rethink some of my life decisions if new information were to come light. Why are people so unwilling to acknowledge that mistakes were possibly made by both sides. All I hear is leave, leave, leave, even when all the realities of such a decision are not known. Negotiation is what happens before a final decision, not afterward, as this causes the goalposts to move.
Give us a break.
Mind your busines UK voted to go out get over it. Like the U S A voted for Mr Trump . We disentangle vote for Enda an that is what we got. May be Ireland should have a re/election.
Can they just feck off, I’m sick of news about brexit…
So they get to hold the EU over the coals, see what kind of bargain they can get and THEN decide if they want to give the EU the pleasure of them staying…… F-THAT
@Ian:
Just like the EU held Ireland over the coals…
The old blue shirts the never give up,all they want is Ireland to be back in the common wealth
How a sovereign state makes a sovereign decidion is up to the internal workings of said sovereign state. No outside party can influence this. This is being as stupid as the brexiteers.
The EU is dying, when the Eastern states tell the dictator Germany what they can do to themselves as well as the EU as it falls apart, then we will need the UK then to survive?
The EU now wants POLITICAL Union, proving how undemocratic they really are, the EU is just a sandpit for banks to play in…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unz9eJwTyo4
Of course the typical solution for these idiotic FF and FG irish politicians is to ask the question again until they get the answer that the euro big heads and the minority vested interests parties are looking for.
Senator Neale Richmond: ‘Ireland should ask for a second Brexit referendum’
The arrogance… When does one country tell another to do the vote again its undemocratic, like the Treaty of Lisbon and Maastricht lol.
F-OFF you imbecile. FG just hate democracy when it doesn’t go the way they want.
Who elects these idiots. Seriously, some people need their heads examined!
@Adrian:
I don’t think anyone elected that FG senator.
Except Enda kenny.
Buzz off, Richmond. We know that the creepy Irish political class doesn’t do democracy. I voted against two EU treaties, as did the majority, and yet they were forced on us. With the result visible every day on our streets, vast numbers of migrants from Eastern Europe. The ones our creepy politicians, such as Dick Roach and P De Rossa, and our useless TU leaders, such as Beggs, swore would never appear.
I am confident that the British are not for turning.
i think it is a good idea,the results were very closed and a lot of people have changed their mind after realising they misled on many points by the”leave”camp.
@Frederic Slimane: According to whom? As only the pro EU ones state that???
@Frederic Slimane:
Imaginary people have changed their minds? And how about the people who voted Remain and who have changed their minds?
have your say