Exchange of the week
Should we all vote again?
To The Times
How would a second EU referendum settle anything, let alone help to heal the divisions in our society that the first one opened up? And how could any question be framed that would legitimise any close result? If Leave were to win again, an outraged establishment and the big-business lobby would doubtless continue to try to subvert any meaningful Brexit and we would be back to square one. Whereas if Remain won, it would enrage the vast majority of the 17.4 million people in the first referendum who had thought that their votes had counted, only to find that they had been lied to by politicians. For they will not forget or forgive that Parliament had explicitly committed to implementing their original 2016 decision without fail. Nigel Henson, Farningham, Kent
To The Times
Matthew Parris recommended those favouring another vote on Brexit not to antagonise those claiming the referendum was the democratic decision of the electorate, despite their personal opinions. He made no mention of the decision of the Prime Minister to subsequently hold an election with a declared mandate to support the policy of leaving the EU. The electorate rejected her policy, she failed to get a majority of votes and ignored this second democratic decision. How can it be undemocratic for the electorate, now with further information on the implications of leaving, to be refused the opportunity to express their opinions on a ballot paper? Peter Light, Taunton, Somerset
To the Financial Times
Those lobbying for a second referendum in the hope that the UK might remain in the EU are presupposing that the EU might have us back. British government advice is that the invocation of Article 50 is irrevocable. The European Court of Justice is currently considering its position in this respect.
There are powerful reasons for it too to decide that it is irrevocable. In that event, the motion at another referendum would have to be between Brexiting and applying anew for EU membership.
It should be obvious to Leavers and Remainers alike that the EU would exact the highest of prices for a renewed membership, and that this could not be clarified before any such referendum is held. Rejecting Theresa May’s deal in the hope of a second referendum is therefore reckless, to put it mildly. Ben Habib, CEO, First Property Group, London