The Brexit process has come a long way and it is not long until the UK is scheduled to leave the EU. There is and has been lively debate about Brexit both in the UK and abroad ever since the referendum, and recently there have been plenty of discussions about a second referendum. One of the more high-profile discussions are over at the Economist’s open future initiative where proponents and opponents are given a public place to present their views. After thinking about Brexit a fair deal myself recently I wanted to present my take.
I’ve written previously in my 2019 predictions that I believe that there will be a deal between the EU and the UK which is an analysis I still stand for, but regardless of if there’s a deal and what a deal would or should contain I would argue against a second referendum. I believe in democracy and I believe in treating the British people as adults. Calling a second referendum seems to me as a tactic to get the people a chance to reverse their previous decision, a way for politicians, business and finance professionals, and others who oppose Brexit on economic grounds a chance to save the UK from its own bad decision. The problem is that the choice is already made and if one truly trusts the British public and democracy then one should accept the result of the referendum. That’s not to say that their fears that Brexit might turn out to be a failure aren’t valid or that people are wrong to oppose it. What I’m trying to say is that the British people chose to pursue Brexit and one should respect that choice instead of trying to subvert it. Everyone makes mistakes and for a democracy to be truly democratic and truly free then the people should be allowed to make mistakes too.
Democracy is far from perfect, but it allows for real personal freedom and for the people to make meaningful choices about their futures and the future of their society. Having the establishment reverse the British people’s choice might be optimal economic policy or optimal foreign policy but it wouldn’t be democratic, and respecting democracy should be the top priority or any democratic government.
Please share your thoughts on Brexit and the prospect of a second referendum in the comments or on Twitter @ipolecoblog. If you’re interested in more reflections on trade issues you can find all our posts on the subject here. Hope to hear from you and see you next week!
Sources:
https://www.economist.com/open-future/2019/01/11/the-debate-over-a-second-brexit-referendum
Photo by Pixabay.com at Pexels
Comments