Voters’ message is “end the mess” not “get on with Brexit”

Public are fed up with Brexit. The only way to stop obsessing about it is to stop Brexit – not to reach a fudge that prolongs the pain. That’s the message of the mauling the Tories and Labour and got in local elections.

John McDonnell tweeted, somewhat ambiguously, that the message is “Brexit – sort it” and insisted “message received”. Conservative party chairman Brandon Lewis on the BBC’s Today programme described a “very clear message to both parties that we have to get on with getting Brexit done”.

This conclusion totally ignores the surge in pro-European parties across England. At time of writing, the Lib Dems had already gained over 300 seats and taken control of nine councils. These include some big wins in areas that voted Leave in 2016 such West Somerset (61% Leave), Hinckley and Bosworth (60% Leave) and North Norfolk (59% Leave). The Greens have also had a great night.

The main parties risk think voters want them to “get on with Brexit” rather than “end the Brexit mess”. The two are not the same. The strategy emerging from cross-party talks – to enter a customs union with the EU – is potentially a very messy one, as Hugo Dixon has explained for InFacts.

A customs union won’t end the political fighting. A deal struck between Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May risks tearing both parties apart. What’s more, any compromise struck now can be unpicked by a future Tory prime minister at a later date – it cannot be “Boris-proofed”. With May promising to resign if MPs approve a deal, Labour would be accused of playing midwife to a hard Tory Brexit.

The battle over what Brexit means would therefore rage for years. That period will include at least one general election. Voters won’t thank either main party for the confusion and uncertainty.

McDonnell has since denied his initial tweet was in favour of a swift deal, but rather supported “sorting this out whichever way” – which presumably could include a new referendum. This fence sitting was echoed in a speech by Corbyn this morning too, in which he insisted Labour was the “only party that seeks to appeal to people however they voted in 2016”.

But equivocation clearly isn’t doing Corbyn’s party any favours. As Labour MP Anna Turley tweeted this morning: “Stand in the middle of the road and you get run over in both directions.” Rather than alienating both pro-European and pro-Brexit voters with distasteful fudge, better to pick a side and own it. Recent polling, reinforced by Lib Dem and Green successes today, suggest Labour members and potential voters will reward the party for backing a People’s Vote.

Published and promoted by Hugo Dixon on behalf of Referendum Facts Ltd., Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London SW1P 4QP