Brexit is too important for Fatigue

In cloud induced by Brexit fatigue the very worst outcome may come to pass. The Brexit vote was not a politically motivated decision, it was not part of any mainstream parties manifesto and it was not a movement born of repression. The current systems and structures of the British parliament, with its colourful inhabitants, cannot strictly be blamed for the current farcical malaise, why - because as legislative system it is not, nor has it ever been, designed nor equipped to deliver an outcome such as Brexit. It is not fit for the purpose and as such can not be blamed for failing - however much we would like to assign blame. 

Image Sourced from The Irish Examiner

As an issue Brexit cuts across political and ideological lines and as such cannot be delivered by any one political party. This is demonstrated by the inability for any one party or interest group to take control and benefit from it. Brexit was, at its core, a vote on sovereignty and self determination. Judging by the vote, and the polls since, it is safe to say that many within the British population do not ascribe their vastly improved situation and security, post WW2, with EU membership. Furthermore they do not see their future potential and prosperity as requiring EU membership. This is an expressed opinion which may or may not be correct nor informed, but it is held and must be respected.

To deliver Brexit an apolitical process must be given effect. This is because the Brexit decision, as given, cannot be a delivered legitimately by any one political party or ideology - no matter how broad their tent. The structure must inform the process and the process must be rational, transparent and apolitical if it is to succeed.

Here is how it could work. The UK parliament must create a unity government or at least a powerful cross party / country commission to deliver Brexit. Once created they should hold three further referendums.

1. The first referendum should decide on a hard exit versus a soft exit - this will allow the degree and nature of separation desired to be understood and debated.
2. The second vote should focus on EU customs Union membership; in or out. With these mandates the road will be clearly signalled and a withdrawal agreement can then be drawn up apolitically.
3. With an informed withdrawal agreement that delivers on these votes a third and final referendum should held on the deals adoption itself.

Such a process would deliver the very best outcome and avoid unnecessary damage. It would be informed, fair, balanced and reflective of the people's wishes.

If the government of the day persists in trying to deliver Brexit with the current opaque mandate they may inadvertently damage British democracy for decades to come, if not permanently. The process will be used by extreme elements (read DUP) to extract dangerous concessions which could imperil the countries future. A forced Brexit could see the loss of Scotland and Northern Ireland in time. The "United Kingdom" would become a legacy of the past. 

The stakes are very high, time is in short supply, real work must begin.