Already there is a historical quality to how things were pre-2016, above all in the way we talk about them, that feels entirely alien now. Deeply ideological acts, like austerity and the hollowing-out of the state, are no longer talked about in a parlance that makes them appear reasonable or common sense, for ‘common sense’ (if it ever existed) is no longer the all-pervasive … [Read more...] about A vote revisited
EU referendum
Does Europe want the UK to stay?
Remainers continue to push for a people’s vote on the UK government’s Brexit deal and, of course, they have a point. How exactly the British people wanted to leave the EU, when they voted to leave it over two years ago, is entirely unclear.But Remainers seem to want this new referendum to be a choice between the deal that Theresa May negotiates or remaining in the EU. … [Read more...] about Does Europe want the UK to stay?
Will Brexit destroy the UK?
Events during the referendum reminded us, if we needed to be reminded, of the merits of genuine parliamentary democracy and the dangers of plebiscites.An overall narrow majority to leave the EU was achieved on the basis of widespread lies and fantasies and a distribution of the vote that could only exacerbate existing divisions within the UK. As is well known, both … [Read more...] about Will Brexit destroy the UK?
Devolution settlement is at risk
The territorial constitution is particularly fragile. Pursuing Brexit, Theresa May’s government has stumbled into deep questions about devolution.The territorial politics of Brexit is a bewildering mix of ignorance, apparent disdain, confrontation, cooperation and collaboration. Rarely have the so-called devolution ‘settlements’ appeared more unsettled.The UK’s system … [Read more...] about Devolution settlement is at risk
Problems with #EUref2 on the ‘deal’
Should there be a second referendum on Brexit? Those in favour seem to be growing in number.The People’s Vote, led by respective Labour and Tory dissidents Chuka Umunna and Anna Soubry, is campaigning for any final Brexit deal to be put to the electorate. Labour seems to be warming to the idea, while the Liberal Democrats are fully onboard. The Scottish Nationalists are not … [Read more...] about Problems with #EUref2 on the ‘deal’