In order for a referendum to be held in the UK, various processes must be completed, all of which take time.Many political commentators have dismissed the possibility of a second referendum on Brexit on the basis that there is insufficient time to hold one before the UK leaves the European Union, citing the EU referendum’s 13-month timetable as evidence of its … [Read more...] about How long would it take to hold a 2nd EU referendum?
EU referendum
Brexit: debunking myths about the EU position
Autumn 2018 is crunch time in the Brexit negotiations, with many on the EU side increasingly concerned about the risks implied by only finding a conclusion to the Brexit negotiations perilously close to the exit date of 29 March 2019.While the hopes of a resolution to be reached by October have faded, the December European summit is seen by many as the last feasible date to … [Read more...] about Brexit: debunking myths about the EU position
Brexit: No means Yes
Much excitement has been created by an analysis of YouGov polling data released by the anti-Brexit Best for Britain campaign and first reported by The Observer.The analysis identified 112 constituencies where it had previously been estimated by Chris Hanretty that a majority of voters had voted to Leave in 2016 but where a majority were now estimated to be in favour of … [Read more...] about Brexit: No means Yes
Corbyn, antisemitism and nothingness
Let me be honest: I am not a specialist in French existential philosophy. But as the debate concerning Jeremy Corbyn’s handling of accusations of antisemitism within the Labour party shows no sign of abating, I was suddenly reminded of Jean-Paul Sartre’s classic work, Being and Nothingness.Corbyn’s apparent inability or unwillingness to take a clear and definite position on … [Read more...] about Corbyn, antisemitism and nothingness
Sturgeon’s strategic passivity
What does Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister, do all day? Tweet a bit about the books she likes, post some pix of Ailsa Craig, make the odd part-speech about, say, gender (in)equality, welcome a few jobs announcements, denounce the Tories and Corbyn. And then…?In recent weeks we have heard nary a word about the defining issue of UK and Scottish politics: Brexit. At most, … [Read more...] about Sturgeon’s strategic passivity