We need second referendum to settle EU debate
People deserve final vote on Brexit divorce
I normally try to steer this column away from the thorny issue of Brexit – for two reasons.
Firstly, there’s usually a bucket load of Brexit bilge sloshing around the rest of the nation’s media to satisfy everyone needs.
And secondly, there’s enough fun to be had in the paddling pool that is local politics without diving into the deeper and murkier waters of Westminster.
But with a history making vote lying in wait in the House of Commons – and our own local MPs Bill Grant and Philippa Whitford playing a part in it – Brexit has become a national issue with huge local implications.
Just how the “big vote” will be played out is still open to conjecture.
Who knows what kind of motions or amendments have still to be bounced around the bars, benches and committee rooms of the Commons.
Dr Whitford’s vote, as an SNP MP, seems fairly straightforward.
With her party in open revolt against Brexit, she knows exactly what she’ll do when the division bell rings.
But life’s not so simple for Conservative Bill Grant who is already staring at two main options:
1) He toes the Tory party line and supports Theresa May’s Euro divorce deal
2) Er . . . he doesn’t.
So far, he hasn’t indicated a preference for either and if you asked him to today – I’d imagine he’d take the diplomatic route of “I want to listen to all sections of my constituents before making up my mind”.
It’s a good answer.
But in reality, his constituents have already spoken.
They voiced their opinion on June 23 2016 when 59% of South Ayrshire voted to “remain” in the European union.
Yes, Bill Grant’s Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock constituency has different boundary lines to a map of South Ayrshire.
And yes again, that slightly confuses the issue.
But there’s no confusion when you bring in the statistics.
Over 36,000 people in South Ayrshire voted to stay in Europe – that’s almost double the number of people who voted for Bill Grant.
South Ayrshire wasn’t even a close call – the 59% remain vote was emphatic.
Bill’s leaderene, Mrs May, continually refers to “delivering the will of the people”.
I put it to Mr Grant that if he is to deliver the “will” of his constituents – he has to reject the Prime Minister’s proposed deal.
I am also confident Bill Grant is only too well aware of the potential “fall- out” from his decision.
Take my own case, for example. I voted to “remain” in the referendum and voted for Bill Grant in the general election.
Given the scenario that he votes “accept”, the Commons votes “reject” and there is a general election – would Bill still be guaranteed my support? I would seriously doubt it.
And if there are another 1500 like me out there – Bill Grant’s seat is in big trouble.
If this government really want to deliver the “will of the people”- the only sensible option is a second referendum.
Two years ago, many people actually believed that leaving Europe would save us £ 350 million a day.
And two years ago, a “backstop” was another name for the goalie in an ice hockey team! We’ve now learned the real pros’ and cons of being in Europe – and the true cost of getting out of it. Twenty seven other nations took just a weekend to “approve” our divorce deal. The one nation - whose exit they were so quick to agree to - deserves a final and decisive “yes” or “no”.
Over 36,000 people in South Ayrshire voted to stay in Europe, more than double who voted for Grant