Every MP, whatever the balance of opinion in their constituency, should always decide things for themselves. They AREN'T delegates!

Every MP, whatever the balance of opinion in their constituency, should always decide things for themselves. They AREN'T delegates!

The point of the referendum was to quieten for ever the Eurosceptic wing of the Tory party and to stop the surge of Farage. It was a purely political act designed to protect the Tory party by Cameron which went badly wrong, made worse by promising to honour the result which was the only thing that gave it any legitimacy. Events though always create the need to review and revise commitments and it's Parliament's absolute duty to do so if it believes Cameron's promise no longer has validity.

Soubry is acting exactly as a MP should act. She is a representative of her constituents. All of them, and not just those who voted for her. That includes those too young to vote, those who didn't bother to vote and those who voted against her. It's her job to act according to her conscience and not just the perceived wishes of her local electorate. She is a representative and not a delegate. If her party no longer matches her views then she had no option than to leave it and let the electorate decide at a GE whether they want her to continue, as a person of principle, to represent them.

My position on referendums has not altered, and will not alter. I don't want them EVER to be used and think Parliament is the only place where matters ought be debated and decided.

Not publicly at the moment as there are much more pressing matters but after the dust settles I would expect the whole issue to become more prevalent so we can avoid this fiasco ever happening again.

Holding public consultations so the strength of opinion can be tested and publicly debated in a way that engages people is wise.

Asking them to determine policy is madness. It throws our country into the winds of fortune and which way they blow can be hugely influenced from malign forces overseas, interest groups and money.

I'd rather trust our representatives.

Perhaps thinking of the UK they used to know?

That's just untrue.

Here among this particular group of anti EU hardliners, who clearly don't have any real understanding of how the British system works, that might be true but even then I doubt it. Some may but hide behind their entrenched prejudices.

Out in the real world ask almost anyone who has a real knowledge of politics and they will confirm exactly what I have said.

No insults involved. Just the simple truth, however unpalatable you might find it.

If you ever find me bringing Hitler into the arguments then you can accuse me of flouting "Godwin's law", although I would suggest you have just done exactly that.

That some aspects of the current drift to populism have worrying similarities to the attitudes which were found in Germany in the 1930s ought to concern everyone.

Well then smartarse, whats the f***ing point in voting for any of them, they are all without exception liars!!
I suppose you will only be happy when your bunch of anti democratic lying MPs get Brexit cancelled??
That is your aim isnt it?
Edited by the silurian (30 Aug 2019 6.34pm)

Edited by the silurian (30 Aug 2019 6.35pm)

In the case of Brexit, most MP's follow their whip.

It doesn't get mentioned much but if we leave without a deal we can always do one post Brexit if the EU are prepared to negotiate. That is something they have to consider assuming they want one.

Would it be better for the EU to do a deal now when Johnson is relatively weak because of his parliamentary majority or wait and hope that Corbyn wins the next GE? Of course if Johnson wins the next GE with a good majority the EU might regret not offering concessions now as his hand will be strengthened.

Germany is about to go into recession as are many of the other EU countries and yes possibly the UK. The EU politicians may not want a deal but I would have thought that as we are a good market for many EU countries their businesses might want one.