An Open Letter to the Prime Minister Supporting a Second Referendum

Dear Prime Minister,

It is time for a second referendum. The people have spoken before and they clearly want to speak again now. You are convinced we must leave – let the electorate confirm they support that decision.  Please do not abandon the 16.1 million British people who voted that we remain part of the EU.

The key arguments for a second referendum are:

1.     Changing Demographics. In June 2016 a swing of 650,000 votes would have achieved a win for ‘remain’. Since then about 2 million young people have become eligible to vote. Each year an estimated 395,000 ‘remain’ voters have joined the electorate vs 60,000 ‘leave’ supporters. By January 2019 the demographics alone change the national preference. (YouGov 17 Sept 18 quoted in The Independent). The government has a duty to take seriously the views of younger voters as they will live with the long-term consequences of Brexit.

2.     In June 2016, the government and the electorate were unaware of the scale and multi-faceted impact that leaving the EU would have on our economy and our lives. Had we been better informed (or not misled) ‘remain’ could have been the outcome.

3.     An estimated 2.9 million British passport holders who live overseas were denied the right to vote because of the 15-year rule. The majority would have voted to remain as they face serious consequences if Britain is outside the EU. It was undemocratic to deny them a vote in the first place. In the second referendum, they should be included.

4.     According to the latest report from the National Centre for Social Research, 55 per cent of British people now want to remain in the EU. The government should respect peoples’ right to change their minds. The foundation of our democratic process is for the electorate to be consulted on a regular basis.

5.     The latest Petition to Parliament supporting a second referendum has been signed by 6 million people. The largest number in the history of our democracy. A similar petition supporting ‘leave’ attracted less than 10 per cent of that number. An estimated one million people marched in London this month supporting remaining in Europe. In contrast the pro-Brexit march organized by UKIP attracted a few hundred people. These national protests are vast and ignoring the passion of the electorate undermines our democracy.

Now that voters have a clearer understanding of the economic, social and cultural damage that Brexit will cause, it is a democratic obligation to ask the British people to confirm what they want.

In the long-term interests of the United Kingdom, I urge you and your cabinet colleagues to allow a second referendum.

Respectfully

Professor. Jeremy N White