The smart move would be to do Brexit the same way NZ did their flag referendum. First, consult to figure out a small number of possible popular forms of Brexit: soft, hard, technically-still-in-but-with-more-opt-outs? Work it out in enough detail that people can have a relatively clear idea of the goal of each of the 3–5 options, including details like migration, Northern Ireland, and agricultural policy.
Then, put those small number of options to a vote. Ideally using Instant Runoff Voting or Approval Voting, rather than First Past the Post. “Do nothing at all” is not an option at this stage.
Finally, put the option that won the last vote in a head-to-head vote against “do nothing at all”. If the “exit” vote wins, trigger article 50 and negotiate according to the clearly-stated goals of the people.
“Brexit means Brexit”, tory MPs kept saying. Absolute nonsense. Brexit meant a thousand things to a thousand people. Pretending otherwise made a mockery of democracy.
It’s absolutely insane that New Zealand put more effort into proper democratic processes over something as trivial as their flag design than the UK did over their most fundamental piece of foreign policy.
The smart move would be to do Brexit the same way NZ did their flag referendum. First, consult to figure out a small number of possible popular forms of Brexit: soft, hard, technically-still-in-but-with-more-opt-outs? Work it out in enough detail that people can have a relatively clear idea of the goal of each of the 3–5 options, including details like migration, Northern Ireland, and agricultural policy.
Then, put those small number of options to a vote. Ideally using Instant Runoff Voting or Approval Voting, rather than First Past the Post. “Do nothing at all” is not an option at this stage.
Finally, put the option that won the last vote in a head-to-head vote against “do nothing at all”. If the “exit” vote wins, trigger article 50 and negotiate according to the clearly-stated goals of the people.
“Brexit means Brexit”, tory MPs kept saying. Absolute nonsense. Brexit meant a thousand things to a thousand people. Pretending otherwise made a mockery of democracy.
It’s absolutely insane that New Zealand put more effort into proper democratic processes over something as trivial as their flag design than the UK did over their most fundamental piece of foreign policy.