Brexit: how to move forward given divisions

The Green Party was the first Party to call for a People’s Vote. The 2016 referendum, made it clear that a small majority wanted to leave the EU, but it did not provide any clarity about what that would mean in practice. A People’s Vote should put a specific option regarding Brexit to the public, with the option to remain as an alternative.

We are strongly opposed to a NO DEAL Brexit because it would cause severe damage right across the UK economy, as well as putting people at risk with a shortage of vital medical supplies, it is also unacceptable to play fast -and-loose with the question of the Irish border, when so many people have suffered so much in recent history and Northern Ireland remains politically unstable.

However, we also opposed the Lib Dem policy of revoking Article 50, because this would be a betrayal of those who voted to Leave in good faith. We have said all along that it is important to respect the result of the referendum – which is why we want to put the best Brexit deal it is possible to negotiate  to the public and then let them decide.

Of course, the debate around this issue has become toxic. In particular, there is a strong feeling that a People’s Vote would be undemocratic. We reject this argument as ludicrous, how can it be undemocratic to have democratic vote?? However, we do take seriously the democratic deficit that is felt very deeply by many communities around the UK – including many here in Cornwall. Many people feel that  MPs at Westminster are trying to overturn the result of the referendum and see this as further confirmation that decisions are made by other people.

The Brexit campaign won with the slogan ‘Take Back Control’. Its a sentiment we understand, but the Brexit campaign identified the wrong problem and doesn’t have any true solutions.   

The loss of control people feel is not due to our membership of the European Union (in fact many of the benefits of being in the EU help to protect against further loss of control – for example, in protecting workers rights). The loss of control we experience is due to greater centralisation of power in Westminster and the lack of regulation of unaccountable multinational corporations who extract profits from our communities but have no true places of their own.

We are the only Party who have actual plan to return REAL control to local communities. We would devolve much greater power away from Westminster to local communities. In Cornwall that would mean establishing a new Cornish Assembly with power over planning, NHS priorities, policing, taxation etc. We would make large corporations accountable, forcing them to pay much more tax, and at a much higher rate, and we would privilege local businesses which bring so much dignity and life to local communities.

And we would reform our electoral system so that every vote always counts in every election.

The way forward from Brexit is not to crash out of the EU, or to return to the way things were before 2016 and pretend it never happened. The way forward involves a new vision for a different kind of society. We are a Remain Party, but we take Leavers seriously. By giving genuine control back to local communities, we believe we can deliver what Brexit voters wanted – and more – while still benefiting from the best deal available: the one we already have.

Martha Green