There’s good and bad to be found in the High Court ruling that the Government cannot trigger Article 50 without a vote from MPs
When is a referendum not a referendum? When the High Court decides to shift the goalposts of democracy, it appears.
Whether you were for or against it, the decision on whether the UK should leave the EU was placed in the hands of the British public on June 23rd. And the public voted to leave.
I’m sure I’m not the only person left perplexed and not a little dismayed by the High Court’s derailing of Theresa May’s plans to trigger Article 50 by March.
Perplexed because handing the final decision-making to MPs after 33 million British citizens have already voted on it appears to make a mockery of the whole democratic process.
Dismayed because, whatever the outcome, the whole process is being delayed – and that means more months of uncertainty which British businesses can well do without.
To date Brexit hasn’t had the devastating effect on our country that scare-mongers predicted. In fact tourism has seen quite the opposite, with the industry enjoying a huge surge in overseas visitors, staycations and consumer spending.
That’s extremely welcome news but the business world as a whole needs stability so we can plan, negotiate and invest to move effectively and confidently into the long-term future. And who knows how long it will take just to get through the government’s planned appeal, let alone draw up fresh legislation should they lose it.
However, it’s not all negative.
This new turn of events means we can’t rush headlong into an EU exit. The Brexit decision is colossal and will have a lasting impact. The delays caused by the High Court ruling will give us time to focus on it in the minute detail demanded of such monumental change.
It might also have the result that the majority of people post-Brexit now seem to want – to remain part of the EU but on better and fairer terms that are sustainable for us as a country.
Europe knows we’re serious about leaving, so is this their chance to entice us back in with a more balanced seat at the table?
Who knows, but whatever the outcome I think Britain has shown that we’re strong as part of Europe and, so far, that we can also stand on our own two feet and prosper outside the EU.
Bit cheeky to talk about tourism going up post-Brexit when it was mostly due to the falling pound (which hopefully won't last)
Client Director & Relationship Mgr, Organizational Psychology MSc. Speaker, Mentor, Facilitator.
8 年This is ill informed at best, and Trump-esque fear rhetoric at its worst. The democratic system on which this country is founded, has served its purpose. You may not be the only person who was "perplexed and a little dismayed" by the High Court serving the people as per its democratic mandate, but I'll wager you will find relatively little support on a professional site of (largely) educated and rational people, such as this!
Senior Legal Counsel at RES
8 年Quick thing - please read Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011, introduced as a bill by David Cameron. PM is not above the law, so must adhere to the law if seeking to dissolve Parliament - i.e. needs to comply to the 2011 Act. We should be careful if promoting the view that the PM is above the law - that road does not end well.
Lecturer, Author and Editor on Energy, Environment and Climate Change
8 年The referendum was not legally binding!
CEO at Venator Capital Ltd
8 年May should just hold a snap general election. Based on opinion polls she could get a majority of over 100. As the election would be on Brexit she will possibly get a much higher number of seats than this as she will hoover up disgruntled Labour Brexiters. With a majority like that she will win every vote she puts to Parliament. I didn't want an election but we need a strong government and its the only way she can have a true mandate. Most accept we are leaving, and from a business perspective we need to make sure that May can negotiate the best deal possible. As much as Parliamentary scrutiny sounds great there are several IN supporters who will do their best to tie her hands and in the process get us a worse deal.