MPs today debate a motion that there should be a second referendum. The anger of Remain voters who feel cheated by a Leave campaign that didn’t spell out what Brexit meant – or, insofar as it did, was often dishonest – is understandable.
But an attempt to rerun the referendum now is a bad idea. We have just voted. While there were deficiencies in the campaign, they were not sufficient to undermine its legitimacy. We must also acknowledge that, although the Leave camp’s dishonesty was egregious, the Remain camp also said things that weren’t true – for example, David Cameron’s assertion that he would still be prime minister if he lost the vote.
What’s more, the specific motion MPs are being asked to debate – after more than 4 million people signed a petition – would be equivalent to changing the rules after the game has been played. It reads as follows:
We the undersigned call upon HM Government to implement a rule that if the remain or leave vote is less than 60% based a turnout less than 75% there should be another referendum.
There should, though, be a referendum on the Brexit terms once Theresa May has finally figured out what Brexit means. The Leave camp promised a raft of things – including an extra £350 million a week for the NHS, access to the single market, an end to free movement, scrapping VAT on fuel bills, control of the rules governing our trade, no damage to the economy, no risk to the union with Scotland and no border controls with Ireland – that seem impossible to keep.
Indeed, on the plane to the G20 summit, the prime minister is already backing away from several pledges made by Vote Leave – including introducing an Australian-style points system to control migration, scrapping VAT on fuel bills, ending contributions to the EU budget and giving an extra £100 million a week to the NHS. At various times, the Leave camp promised different amounts to the NHS. The £350 million pledge was on its battle bus.
When May and her three Brexiteers have finally negotiated our divorce deal, the electorate should have a chance to say whether they still want to leave. And, if they don’t, they should be allowed to stay.
This is, admittedly, contrary to government policy. The only major politician backing the idea is Owen Smith – and he is likely to be defeated in this month’s Labour leadership elections. But if sufficient Leave voters change their minds over the next couple of years, politicians’ views may change too.
Some Brexiteers say it is undemocratic even to suggest this. This is nonsense. What would be undemocratic is denying citizens the chance to stay in the EU if, after reflection, they decide they want to.
Hugo Dixon is co-founder of CommonGround – which is fighting for a fair and open society, and honest politics – as well as editor-in-chief of InFacts