Mac's Poll - Let's Vote

Falcón said:
Wednesday, June 29, 2016 @ 4:32 PM

My opinion about of second referendum UK is that they should do it, because UK is a strong country and together with the EU they can do a lot more for their country. In the EU there are a lot of very important countries that will take important decisions for the future of Europe and nowadays is imperative  that these countries are together and united.

Anna said:
Thursday, June 30, 2016 @ 10:45 AM

Yes there should be a second referendum. There are millions of uk nationals living and working in the eu that could not vote, they have not had a say in their future, how is that democratic? if they loose their jobs etc as a consequence of this vote they will have to return to the UK, lets not forget they are British citizens uk domicile, some of them have paid over 30years into the UK system and are still not in receipt of pensions
because the uk gov keep moving the goal posts.

light a candle said:
Thursday, June 30, 2016 @ 5:26 PM

The world has become a smaller place, with our daily global trading and interactions, with freedom of travel, to Work, Rest, Or play. The Leave vote will have an impact on us all! like it or not, the N H S will not change because of this and immigration will stay the same, the Leave campaign was a campaign of lies and deceipt. The freedom of movement of people, is one of the four principles of the EU, enshrined in EU law. Access to the whole of the EU trade area, requires this principle to be in place. so yes now all has been revealed! another referendum should be held.

light a candle said:
Thursday, June 30, 2016 @ 11:04 PM

If 40 people were told... if you put your hand, in this particular flame, it will NOT burn! they all believed it, then voted that you should do the same and the same rule would apply to you! even though none of the others, had actually tried it, what would you do?

light a candle said:
Thursday, June 30, 2016 @ 11:28 PM

For those people who are waiting to see, what pre Brexit negotiations there will be, the answer is none 0.
The EU has made it clear, only AFTER Britain has EXITED ie after triggering article 50, followed by the 2 year period, will trade talks begin...once Britain is no longer an EU member,,,now who is holding all the juggling balls, Not our government! The trouble with "fence sitters" is they let the grass grow under their feet.

Tadd1966 said:
Friday, July 1, 2016 @ 5:38 PM

16 to 18 yr olds should have a vote as they did in Scotland as it is their future

Too many lies by both sides should make result null an void. Not enough detailed info or true facts

Clear plans of what will happen in or out is needed before a vote can take place. These should be endorsed by the EU and the UK govt

Chris Dunchow said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 3:21 AM

Due to the lies told to the British public by both sides (remain, leave) another referendum should now held so that a result could be held up based on truth.

sonofsyd said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 7:15 AM

Keep having referenda until the result is Remain. Too important to let democracy get in the way.

alan lunn said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 7:29 AM

52%to48% too tight and even Farage said he would call
for a another one if it was that tight.
70/30 60/40 i can accept but not the above and was the Leave campaign full of lies?

Robin said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 8:10 AM

This would never have happened if a majority of 60% of those that voted had been required. Any major constitutional change should always be by a clear mandate.
A comment above about UK nationals not being allowed to vote, of course they were wherever based. The criteria was based on 15 years since leaving the UK.
This result has still to be ratified by the UK government so we still may have to go back and have a second referendum. Perhaps people will think more carefully about their future.

BG said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 8:14 AM

No way! A defunct, corrupt organisation with unelected Functionaries. One size does not fit all.

Pam said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 8:22 AM

No of course we should not have another. It is not right the people have spoken and we all have to pull together and get on with it. Of the 3.7m signatures calling for another thousands and thousands have been found to be bogus. What's a matter with people if it had gone the other way would people be calling for another!!!!

Mar said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 8:57 AM

First past the post is, and should mean, precisely that. The majority voted out thus OUT it must be.

frangipani said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 9:00 AM

Most definitely yes. Everyone is now much better informed now that ministers and media have been shown to tell complete lies about so many things. So whichever way it would go at least the people would understand the issues involved.

lee halliday said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 9:01 AM

I can't believe some of the post rants after this outcome.

For the record I voted remain and will lose about £15k as our house in the UK is now sold and we expect to be moving to Spain by the end of August however,

*The 52 - 48 difference was over a million people - that's not close.
*Certain high profile people have come out and said all those who voted out are racists! I mean come in.
*This referendum has raised all sorts of discussions on immigration which needs to be discussed. Its a small island and there are places in Blackburn, Bradford, Leicester that are no one white zones. You cant ignore this. This has happened in a very short time frame and people are worried. I firmly believe you don't have to be racist to want your country to keep its traditions like I would want Italy, France, Spain to keep theirs.
*I'm really struggling that some people think that the tax avoiding, expense claiming MP's should be solely making such decisions without a democratic vote?
*And then those that feel we should vote until we get a remain - it's hilarious.

So sorry as much as I'm planning to leave the place with my wallet much lighter and probably much worse off in a couple of years, the decision has been made.

Move on.

Carol dixon said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 9:25 AM

I was born in the uk. Im a Christian if i wanted my country to become a ghetto of moslems. Poles. Hungarians.romanians. rapists. Murderers. Big cities are racist ghettos against us british christians.i want my country back. I fear for my granchildren. I would have been born in the bloudy middle east. Overcrowded schools. Nhs crumbling i worked in our hospitals. Resources stretched to the full. Im a widow ive worked all my life in social care. My private pensions that i have paid thousands of poundsinto are now not being given any increase because the goverment need all that my pensions have given them in interest for them selves. All the brits in Spain want to try and livr here. It looks like the middle east. MOSQUES on every bloudy corner and sharia laws.schools.overcrowded translaters costing a fortune. Whites s minority in schools im not a racist im a Chtistian trying to survive in my own country its a bloudy nightmare believe you me.im 70 trying to survive week by week i dont get handouts.like the immigrants do. Villagers in disrepair.

Diane Griffith said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 9:32 AM

The UK SHOULD DEFINITELY hold a second referendum! Many people did NOT want to leave the EU. It is not fair that they should be forced to endure the hardships that will now follow because the UK is not part of the EU. The pound has dropped significantly, which is the main negative effect. This means Brits can no longer sell their properties abroad or buy properties abroad. We want to sell our bungalow in Cyprus to relocate to Spain. Brits would now have to pay a lot more in £'s than they would before when the £ was stronger. This leaves us, and many like us in a sad situation! I REALLY HOPE THERE IS A SECOND REFERENDUM!!!

Keith said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 9:36 AM

In the first referendum the voters were lied to so the vote should not count. It is as simple as that.

dustyjack said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 9:37 AM

NO. No second referendum. The people were asked for their opinion and they gave it. Majority must carry the day. If you let our corrupt politicians get away with ignoring the will of the majority where will it end? Where is democracy then? All the lies told by the Remainers have come to nothing. The Pound is climbing back up, the FTSE is doing fine, Companies have NOT moved away and have said that they are not going to. The sky has not fallen. We are OUT thank God, and OUT we must stay.

Bob said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 9:40 AM

There is no justification for holding a second referendum: we all had the same information, including all the lies and scaremongering from both sides of the argument, so if anyone now feels they made the wrong decision, they'll just have to live with it! As has been said, this would never have been muted if the majority had been the other way but of course, the voice of the people does not go down well with big business or some MPs which is why they are now trying to bully the public into another referendum - the very inflexible attitude of the EU commissioners that brought about this "uprising" in the first place!
Come on you wingers, you voiced your option now let's get on with it, possibly with Theresa May now leading the team of Brexit negotiators.

Watchmanager said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 9:44 AM

Now this post was obviously written by a remainer.
Out of the 3 million who have signed that petition it has been proven that a third are fraudulent.
You'll get a second referendum when the EU (Not Europe) gets off their high horse and starts to take the British voters seriously.
As I see it, Germany can't afford the extra £350 million pound a week to prop everyone else up, that will cease in 2 years time.
They need to now start talking to Britain seriously and to stop trying to beat them with a stick as they did Cameron last year when he came back with his tail between his legs and nothing to show.
That's why the MAJORITY voted to come out.
Once correct deals are placed before them you will see another referendum but don't be sure that it will be any different.

MarkM said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 9:51 AM

It's about time we had a POLL asking "Should we stop asking whether the UK should hold a second referendum?"

It's quite simple: You either believe in democracy or you don't.

If you don't, then that puts us in the same realm as the despotic regimes and banana republics that we so self-righteously condemn.

Bill said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 9:56 AM

I can't believe the comments on here for a second referendum, we all had a vote and the leave achieved a majority, the remainers lost the vote.
If we allowed a second vote it would make a mockery of democracy as the next time anyone lost a vote or game they could scream "it is unfair" I want to do it again until I win.

JavaJoe said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 9:58 AM

Keith said: In the first referendum the voters were lied to so the vote should not count. It is as simple as that.

Good grief! On what planet do you live where elections don't ALWAYS involve the voters being lied to?

If we follow your 'it's as simple as that' logic, we'd still be re-doing the first ever referendum and election.

macsco said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 10:23 AM

I cannot believe that so many people and the media keep getting this wrong. Read the petition. It is NOT for a new referendum, it is to put rules on A referendum.
You cannot put rules on AFTER it has taken place.
But if you must see it as a request for another referendum and 14 million voted remain, it is not unnatural that the vote could go to 14 million again.
Most losers at the bookies would like a rerun of ANY race.
We voted out, and that was for the good of the country stop looking at this for your own selfish reasons. Accept it.

Nels said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 10:27 AM

Is it democratic to accept a referéndum result where the voters were lied to?
If I was selling a product to the public and lied to do so, would the public be correct in demanding their money back???

If I refused, could the law be used to judge and prosecute me ??

Roy said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 10:28 AM

I voted leave, its cost me money already but that was expected, two generations before me paid a much higher price for freedom from an evil empire. The EU big business and even Mark Carney are turning the screw to weaken peoples resolve so the backlash will not be so great when Parliament reneges.

David said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 10:32 AM

The England team want a replay because they did not realise Iceland scoring more goals would knock them out! Not going to happen neither should another referendum.

RJD03 said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 10:42 AM

I have read all the comments of the obove post`s and taken on board the arguments from both sides,there is still a lot of uncertity following the result,yes the FST100 has surpassed the level pre brexit on a broader FST 250 which is mainly UK companies is still below what it was, the pound is down,The bank of England has stated that over the summer they will more than likely will need to involved and may lower interest rates which in turn will have an inpact on the exchange rates with the knock on effect of saving rates and pensions an the effects on people is uncertain,having closely watched debates since the vote and listening to people who voted to leave saying they wish that they took more time to evaluate the facts they say they would have voted to remain, but the votes have been counted and we are to leave but until we trigger artical 50 there is still a lot of uncertity

Rod said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 10:49 AM

Democracy? Yes I believe in democracy, but I don't believe this particular result was a true reflection of 'the will of the people', as the public were duped by the Brexit's lies and distortions.

Of course, we're used to being lied to by politicians, but it's mostly about pledges and policy. Not cold hard statistics presented as 'facts'.

And let's not forget that the might of the Rupert Murdoch media empire was behind the leave campaign.

It was inevitable the the results are skewed.

Rod (again) said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 10:56 AM

And to Roy... you refer to the EU as the evil empire? Then you allude to WWII and the fight against Fascism.

Can you not see the irony now Marine le Pen and every other European Fascist leader is congratulating the UK on voting to leave the EU?

The EU is the best protection we have against the extreme left and the extreme right.

Interalia said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 11:29 AM

It's clear a) that the leave politicians lied, Farage, IDS, Gove have all denied 350million a week will go to the NHS. b) a huge number of people have buyers remorse as shown in the 3.7million petition c) Neither leave nor remain had a plan. Until a plan is created, the British people have little idea of how the Brexit will affect them (though we must make it clear that if you're moaning about a mosque on every street corner - Brexit isn't going to fix that. That is down to non-EU immigration which Britain does already control.) Get a plan and have another vote. This is to big to risk on a coin toss.

karisy said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 11:34 AM

It's been proven that particular petition was rigged, presumably by the bad loser's of the "in" brigade. I'm not convinced we will actually leave but we must go through the motions if only to convince unelected, Brussels EU Commission autocrats how wrong they've got it & force them to take a more democratic approach. The way the EU is currently run by unelected, Brussels autocrats with their nose in the trough is an absolute joke. I didn't vote for that when we joined the Common Market & I certainly wasn't going to vote for it this time around. We spend 4 months a year in Spain but have 2 resident family members so I fully appreciate why ex-pats would vote mainly to stay "in" & understand why they are now concerned but I honestly don't think there will be anything to worry about. Only if Brussels takes notice & seriously reforms it's constitution to allow of member states who still want to make their own laws & run their own democracy should we even consider a second referendum & then only if we get cast iron guarantees out of it (something Cameron was supposed to do) but pigs will probably be flying long before I can see that happening. The UK has always been a thorn in the side of Brussels because we like to control our own destiny, in that respect Brussels will be glad to be rid of us but our net contribution will put a serious dent in their finances. There are several other member states who have long held the same views & our decision will embolden them so I think there is a big risk the whole thing is going to crash & burn anyway. Maybe it will then revert back to the original concept of free trade within Europe which is the concept of the original Common Market I voted to join!

Alasdair Johnstone said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 11:39 AM

Bearing in mind that only just over a third of the electorate considered eligible to vote opted for an exit from the EU, and that this was not a General Election, the imposition of that minority will on the people of Britain in not democratic. As David Cameron himself has pointed out, we are a parliamentary democracy, and thus a decision of this magnitude must be made by Parliament.

Brendan said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 12:15 PM

New election should be restricted to those it will have an effect on. Everyone under 50. The rest will be dust and the young people will pay for misguided stupidity and arrogant nationalism for the rest of their lives.

Dan Amunwa said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 12:32 PM

The UK referendum was an advisory initiative and not mandatory. So, in effect Article 50 does not have to be invoked.
A second referendum should ask for this article to be invoked.
The blame for the farce of the first referendum should seat squarely on the shoulders of David Cameron because he took a gamble without considering all consequences. He seems to have a track record. After the his re-election he came out with the statement that he would not run again. This was the flag for speculations as to who would be the next leader and the succession planning was kick started with the likes of Boris snapping at his prime ministerial heels. I very strongly sensed that Boris was not 100% behind the leave campaign and that this was just something to get behind and was against the PM. The planning was truly Machiviallian with the true master mind being Gove with Shakespearian humility "...this is not a position I ever wanted". Then refuse to accept it. This would be the 'right' thing to do.

Rob_j1 said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 12:57 PM

Yes to a referendum. Why? Because both sides did a poor job explaining their side and I genuinely believe many voted (on both sides) without knowing the truth.

I will nail my flag to the mast too. I'm a remainer.

I think Farage admitted the 350 million was a lie. Control of immigration won't happen either. Why? Because there were around the same number of immigrants from within the EU as there were from without. The idea that a points system will fix everything isn't as great as you would believe. Australia uses this system and takes twice as many people per capita as we would so now. If we used those rules immigration of non EU could double under the same regime so there would be no benefit unless the system was cut right back.

And remember though that the point to this is to enable the country to pick and choose who comes with skills that we deem necessary. Guess what - that is exactly Australia's reasoning too... So no benefit under that rationale.

And finally the idea of regulations and laws. Yes some things are painful. But equally the UK does not have a bill of eights for citizens and the EU allows access to courts that will give citizens rights. Think about the cosy nature of the UK government and it's surveillance society. All of this plays to the US and we do their bidding. At least the EU fights in favour of cities against intrusive US interference. Think also about privacy and the Internet. I don't want my privacy dictated by the Pentagon via the UK.

Many other points but basically I feel the debate was filled with lies on both sides and we see the pound has dropped significantly already and has more downside to come. The ODB bank in Singapore has just stopped all lending into London.credit ratings agencies have downgraded us. Stock markets are down. And this is even before we leave. Who thinks things will get better?

harddunby said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 12:58 PM

27 unelected EU Commissioners making up even now 80% of UK laws.In Italy a pasta string has just been allowed to become 3mm from 2.5 in width, you couldn't make it up.

Brian said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 1:18 PM

Democracy might not go your way but that's not a reason to hold a tantrum on social media.
Its the TV and press that cause the real problem in this but again thats the way it goes we hope to have enough intelligence to read between the lines

Alan Lindsay said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 1:32 PM

REMAINERS, what part of the word ´democracy` don´t you understand ? It does not mean we will continue to have referendums until you get the result YOU want. The majority voted OUT, live with it.

macsco said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 1:44 PM

When people are calling foul on the lies, let's remember the lie that Turkey will not be in until the year 3000, that if BREXIT there will be an immediate austerity budget, that we would not get a deal for 10 years.
Worst case scenario is no deal, we go to WTO favoured nation status, with average tariffs of 3%.
What's to worry about?
You would rather give our country to a pile of bureaucrats in Brussels.
As for no plan? What are you listening to?
Bank of England making intervention, Osborne made a stabilising speech, Conservative party doing accelerated leadership vote.
Anyone believing there will be another in/out referendum is deluded.

Alan skelding said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 2:22 PM

It's not democratic
When you are blocked from voting because of the 15 year rule

George Foster said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 2:29 PM

Why should there be a second referendum. The vote albeit close was for exit. The call for the younger generation to be given a vote is nonsensical given that only 36% could be bothered to turn out to vote in the referendum.
Too many people want to use the blame card wake up and smell the coffee.
Lies or no lies you are all adults and have a brain. USE IT!!
By the way I believe Glasgow Rangers are asking for a reply of the Scottish Cup as Hibernian only beat them by a single goal.

Paul Hurst said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 2:45 PM

As there have been great lies told, especially on the Brexit side (we will give 350 million/week to NHS , now reduced to 100 million according to Gove) and there was less than a definite result, there shouldn't need to be another referendum if the MP's have the balls to do what is right and vote to stay in the EU. A lot of Brexit voters simply voted out as a way of getting back at the government as they can't stand Cameron and his cronies. Says a lot for the Brexit side when the captain of the ship jumped ship when he realised what he had started.

Rialto said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 2:59 PM

I imagine the vast majority of those who conveniently want to ignore democracy when it suits them are the ones who now live in Spain full-time as residents and have burned their bridges back home.

Well, tough luck folks. I spent 75% of my time in the Uk and have voted out. Why? because it suits me and I am doing the right thing by voting to leave a failing, bent Federal state. I'm not worrying about my status in Spain. You made your bed folks....lie in it!

You decided to leave the UK and settle in sunny Spain. Well...swings and roundabouts!

I'm sure there will be a plethora of great medical insurance policies coming on the market soon for the selfish-minded bridge-burners....

'Let's keep playing the game until we win'. that's what the whingers are effectively saying.

GROW UP - YOU LOST!!

Roytheboy said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 3:08 PM

The wider world already queuing up to do trade deals with the UK. The stock market at 3 year record high. Remainers, get over it.

Malina said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 4:25 PM

Second referendum please !!!
I want to be in EU not out !!

A chutoo said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 4:35 PM

The people have voted .We must respect their decision . Now the government must negotiate the best and safest way to extricate the country from the multitude of EU legislations that have grown in the UK
The best way is to get out of the union altogether asap and negotiate from the outside with the EU and the rest of the world.That will give the negotiaters a better leverage

Rob_j1 said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 4:41 PM

The funny thing is, every outer acknowledges that the overriding basis of the campaign was based on lies, and yet seem to be content simply because it fits their views.

"All politicians lie", which makes it okay?

Sorry, but that logic just does not fly, when you consider the immense impact of this situation. This is probably the single biggest outcome of the last 40 years. It should be debated on merit, not on lies, and the population should make an INFORMED vote.

Please note the highlighted word there, and then consider that there was a spike in search terms AFTER the referendum on Google searching for "What is the EU". Seriously, how many people went into this with their eyes half shut, and voting purely as a response to the lies we now know?

To the "winners", this is a hollow, and still highly impactful situation. What I personally believe means nothing, although I will say I have lost quite a lot of money over this already, and am likely to lose quite a lot more, so I'm not happy due to my own personal (selfish) circumstances. The root of this is in sending money overseas, and knowing that the pound has dropped significantly in such a short time.

It will be interesting if the new PM decides to ignore the result and leave it for the next general elections mandate, though.

Jeff said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 6:04 PM

Rod, thank you for pointing out what 2 vicars told me and the Archbishop of Canterbury alluded to. Not nice people, but Europe should avoid war.

nat-lads-dad said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 6:10 PM

There is no point having another referendum with the same question. How you get a mandate for whichever version of Brexit is chosen is another matter. At some stage there will have to be a vote of some kind.

Hil said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 6:23 PM

NO....NO....No way.
17 million people said No. We are a democratic country you can't have another vote because you did not like the result.

Ken spencer said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 6:29 PM

It was a democratic outcome to a democratic vote. We want our country back period....

karisy said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 6:49 PM

So why not euthanize all those over 50 before any future referendum, that way it wouldn't matter that those it supposedly affects most couldn't be bothered to get their arse off the settee to go vote; the statistics speack for themselves!

shell4000 said:
Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 9:09 PM

The EU needs to stop ever closer union
more democracy
Develop an immigration policy

Then we can see if we should stay

macsco said:
Sunday, July 3, 2016 @ 12:33 AM

A Chutoo
Democracy!
Enjoy

macsco said:
Sunday, July 3, 2016 @ 12:33 AM

A Chutoo
Democracy!
Enjoy

macsco said:
Sunday, July 3, 2016 @ 12:33 AM

A Chutoo
Democracy!
Enjoy

Nels said:
Sunday, July 3, 2016 @ 10:52 AM

I want a return to when Britain was great, when the queen was Empress of India, when desputes were settled by sending a gunboat, or by sending men over the top. After all what are 20.000 men. (Somme.)

If all else fails shove more children up the chimney!!!!

Yes I want GREAT BRITAIN to rule again !!!!

tonyl said:
Sunday, July 3, 2016 @ 2:59 PM

"A second vote would allow those who believe they made a mistake last week to change their mind when they see the final package (whichever way they voted first time around)."

It may allow them to change their mind, but by then we'll already be out, so a second referendum won't change anything.

To be honest, I think the EU brought this on themselves by their intransigent attitude towards free movement. If they'd just been prepared to give a little, and allow countries to temporarily impose limits when high levels of immigration are causing problems, I'd have been prepared to vote remain.

Now with Austria's presidential election being declared void and having to be re-run, there's a possibility the Freedom party could win, and they also want a referendum on Austria leaving the EU.

Hopefully, this will bring the EU to its senses.

dustyjack said:
Sunday, July 3, 2016 @ 4:21 PM

It comes down to this: Do you believe in one person one vote? If you do then the people have voted and the majority are for OUT. If you do not believe in one person one vote what DO you believe in? "I cannot be wrong so I want another go!"

I didn't like the last Newcastle United result. Can we have a replay please? And if we lose again, can we keep having replays until my side wins?

karisy said:
Monday, July 4, 2016 @ 10:29 PM

That just about sums it up for me, here endeth the sermon!

SteveM said:
Tuesday, July 5, 2016 @ 11:06 AM

The referendum is not binding on parliament. The UK has a representative democracy where the people devolve decision making to elected MPs.
There is no provision for government by referendum.

In fact, MPs must vote to repeal the 1972 act which took us into the Common Market (not then the EU) before article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon can be triggered to take us out of the EU.
If MPs do not vote to repeal the 1972 act, we cannot invoke article 50 and leave.

Steve M

Nels said:
Saturday, August 6, 2016 @ 9:11 AM

Talking of democracy, can anyone tell me where TRUE democracy is to be found, you cannot even approach democracy where a Government can be formed to govern ALL from 20% of the vote!! History tells us that all power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Nels said:
Monday, August 8, 2016 @ 10:13 AM

Those who believe that independent sovereign states are better than a 'European Coalition' might have been lucky enough to miss the second World war, those that experienced it might agree with Churchill ( remember him?) who considered that a united Europe would be safer than a fragmented Europe, that it is better to be fighting from within, than fighting from without!
Or would you prefer to trust Farage??

mac75 said:
Wednesday, September 7, 2016 @ 2:06 PM

Parliament debated the petition– “EU Referendum Rules triggering a 2nd EU Referendum”

Watch the debate or read the transcript. I have supplied the links above.

Quite entertaining...

Thanks everyone for participating!!

horton3 said:
Thursday, September 15, 2016 @ 4:35 PM

In terms of being democratic, the uk government is not bound by the result of a referendum, we don't have a facility within our governmental system for them to be enforced, it is only a guide to the government of the views of the people. Should we abide by the vote, morally yes, as the people have spoken or have they, because comments I heard the day after ranged from, don't worry, we can vote back in at the election, and if I thought it would be a leave result I'd have voted to remain, I only voted out because I don't like the PM.
So have the people given their view or did we get a protest vote against an unpopular government, as someone who is stateless, if we are going to leave, then leave, it can't be that hard as we didn't join the EU anyway, we had more exemptions in our membership, its hardly worth worrying about.
I think that we will still be discussing Brexit in 5 yrs time, as we will be not that must further forward than we are today, and we will still be moaning about the foreigners, the cost and the hot weather that comes over from europe, something we don't complain about at the moment, but give it time and we will be calling for a wall to be built to stop it from getting in!!!
On the positive, UKIP has become a party with no policies, as its stated sole aim was to get us out of the EU, so that should swell the tories and libdems ranks, or will it?

Gringo777 said:
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 @ 2:45 AM

Unfortunately, the Referendum itself was rendered unacceptable simply by the mass of deliberate lies and a total lack of responsibility by those who advocated those lies.

As soon as the majority of those who voted favoured "Leave" (52% of the 37% of the voting electorate) signs of Tory goalposts hastily being moved appeared everywhere.

Cameron ran for the hills - or should that be his sprawling country mansion? - despite his earlier headline-grabbing P.R. assurances that he, the trustworthy Tory Prime Minister, would stay on whatever the result. Then, once he'd stayed-on long enough to secure a lucrative job away from Westminster - and get a summer break with all the frills afforded a P.M. - he announced he was quitting Parliament altogether - leaving others to clear-up his self-made mess. So much for Tory honesty! "Ruin it then run for it!" should be this man's legacy.

Then Boris went a whiter shade of pale as he (finally!) realised what a God-awful can of worms he had opened. Since then, silence (plus a few overseas trips where he can practice his schoolboy Latin!)

Gove saw a leadership opportunity (despite his earlier obvious revelations that he wasn't suited to the job), promptly stabbed his fellow-Tory running-mate in the back and stood for exactly that job - then spectacularly failed to achieve it. Since then, silence. Mea non culpa.

Osbourne was dumped by Mother Theresa at the earliest opportunity and now forms a partnership with an ex-New York mayor trying to push the derisory "Northern Powerhouse" damp squib, in a vain bid to crawl back to the top of the Next-Prime-Minister-In-Waiting heap. With what authority he is doing this is only marginally better-known that what Brexit really means.

Then there's dear old Mother Theresa herself. Day one: You (some of you) voted to "take back control" on immigration. We've changed that to mean "SOME control". So much for democracy! You (some of you) voted for a points-based system on immigration policy. Tough! That's scrapped and you're getting something else. So much for democracy! You (some of you) voted for 350 million quid a week to go direct to the NHS. Sorry! That ain't gonna happen. So much for democracy! You (some of you) voted for leaving the E.U. - or was it really a kick at this rubbish Government because the polls told you that "Remain" was on course to win anyway, so you thought you'd have a protest vote instead? No matter! As a fully-confirmed Remainer I totally accept the (supposed) "Leave" vote and we're leaving - no if's , no buts! We won't give a running commentary on the Brexit negotiations - but we also won't give a progress report either, because we have no idea what we are doing and we don't want to look stupid! Unbelievable! She just picks and chooses what she wants, this rube, and the electorate can go stuff itself! So much for democracy!

And all those wise-guys who came up with these preposterous "mandates" have absolutely no come-back whatsoever. No responsibility to put any of these "policies" into practice. The Tory party is not liable to implement these policies because they didn't advocate them. They are not mandates. the Referendum was advisory only. So Parliament needs to make the final decision? Nope! Think again! I, Mother Theresa, queen of all she stands astride, make the decisions. She refuses to hold an election to give her any new authority, yet immediately imposes new selective grammar schools despite there being no mandate for it. So much for democracy! Sounds more like a Dictatorship to me! This announcement obviously wasn't a diversionary tactic to avoid Brexit talk, 'cos the Tories don't do things like that. Yeah, right!

What a totally shambolic piece of apparatus this Tory Government really is! It makes up the rules as it goes along - and the docile electorate stands for it!!! These Tory half-wits should never have got beyond the last General Election - as if Osbourne's pathological obsession with imposing austerity on the poorest wasn't a big enough clue already! Dur!

But no - Bumbling Ed Miliband with his idiotic bacon burger stunt was put up as Labour Party Leader instead of his totally acceptable brother David - and instantly half the wheels fell of the Labour Party wagon. Only to be repeated by imposing another bumbling leader - albeit one with clearly good intentions, but no authority in Parliament - who will do nothing more than guarantee the poor old U.K. another five years of unrestrained Tory government ("by the Old Etonians, for the Old Etonians!") - but fronted by the acceptable (for now!) face of the present leader of the Tory Party.

The only honest way out of this stinking quagmire is to hold a legitimate new Referendum, based on a sound mandate, with responsibilities. But when did honesty ever hold sway over the Tory Party? Second best is to hold a Referendum based on the Brexit deal the U.K. is given by the E.U. - anything else is an affront to democracy. But since when would that bother the Tories!

AlanR555 said:
Saturday, February 25, 2017 @ 9:35 PM

We should STOP calling this a "second" referendum
and treat it as a "confirmation" or "ratification"
vote. The precedent is with Greenland. They had
a vote on the exit terms - the UK deserves no less.

It needs to be held around October 2018 and to ask
the people to put four ways forward in preference
sequence.

A) Leave on terms negotiated.
B) Leave without a deal.
C) Continue negotiating.
D) Withdraw application and Stay "In".

Voters would mark 1,2,3 against their preferences
in preference order.
Counting would be like AV with least favoured
eliminated and votes transferred to next choice.

Unless all FOUR options are presented the vote
will not represent the will of the people.

For example someone who favours getting better
terms could vote "C" as first choice and then "A"
as second choice. Someone intent on leaving
might vote A,B as first two choices.