Democracy or Brexit but not Both

Yesterday was an amazing day in Parliament.  Not only Labour MPs refusing to defeat the government, which hit the headlines, but what had happened earlier.

Chuka Umunna asked an Urgent Question relating to the announcement by the Electoral Commission about the official Leave campaign’s activities in the 2016 Brexit referendum.  The organisations had overspent their limit, and various people related to the organisations had been referred to the police for alleged criminal activity.  There was also other alleged illegal activity.

Chloe Smith, The Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, bravely answered questions but said two amazingly dreadful things.  Whilst there would be sanctions against individuals and the organisations involved:
  • The government would not be sacking the ministers that were involved at a senior level in those Leave organisations, nor even putting them on gardening leave whilst investigations take place
  • The government wold press on with honouring the Referendum result when clearly it should be declared void
MP after MP from all sides then challenged her. A full transcript is here.


In particular Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Winston Churchill, said "One of the great glories of this sadly now diminished country was our electoral and democratic system. And this example today is gross. And I say that if we are to retain the integrity and the trust of the voting public, the whole damn thing needs to be blown up and started all over again."

The point is that our democratic system is more important than Brexit, as many MPs said.   I know people who have completely lost trust in politics and politicians as a result of the way the Referendum was conducted, even before these latest revelations.  No wonder people, especially younger people, don’t bother to vote!

If you believe in democracy it is not about honouring the Brexit referendum result.  The result is dishonourable, and must be declared void.

That is the only action that will begin to restore these people’s confidence.  Otherwise every election in future will be a farce. That is what is most important.


But also implicated Ministers should not remain in post.

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