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by katet 2463 days ago
We've had one, and we're not halfway to the next one. I'm amused to some degree that the idea of another referendum is anathema to some, but the idea of a third election in (almost) as many years is somehow a better idea. If there's another GE now or soon, it'll be the same hung parliament.
2 comments
tomp 2463 days ago
Repeating a referendum on the same question is logically inconsistent. What do you do if you get the opposite result, why not just repeat it again, 2-out-of-3, 3-out-of-5? In addition, it casts doubt on and makes a joke out of every other future referendum question.

On the other hand, elections are meant to be repeated.

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hogFeast 2463 days ago
Because the problem is Parliament. We have a deal, it has been voted down four times. Johnson has a clear strategy for Brexit, that is being stymied too.

I think what is unclear to you is the fact that we are leaving the EU. That question is closed. The point of the GE (and Johnson's strategy) is to ensure that we leave with a deal (it is very possible that the EU rejects any extension).

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matthewmacleod 2463 days ago
It is entirely unclear whether or not the UK will be leaving the EU. There is currently no support for any particular next steps, it is entirely possible that there is now majority support in the country for remaining a member state, and there are obvious avenues by which Brexit may be avoided.

You are welcome to support or object to this process in whatever way you see fit, but please do not spread objective disinformation.

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growlist 2463 days ago
> and there are obvious avenues by which Brexit may be avoided.

ish - it's pretty telling that the pro-Remain parties are running scared of a GE. They suspect they'll be utterly demolished in many areas.

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hogFeast 2463 days ago
There is no Remain majority in Parliament. I don't know why you think there is, that is factually incorrect.

The Conservative policy is leave. The Labour conference just voted for leave (that is binding on the Executive, that will be their policy in the GE). Yes buddy, I am spreading "disinformation".

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stordoff 2463 days ago
> There was earlier another boost for Mr Corbyn, as members backed his Brexit strategy to remain neutral on a second referendum until after a general election.

> Mr Corbyn wants to strike a new deal with Brussels within three months of coming to power and then decide which side to back in an ensuing public vote at that point.

https://news.sky.com/story/labour-to-stay-neutral-on-second-...

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rtempaccount1 2463 days ago
actually you are, unless you'd care to provide a reference for that Labour policy.

My understanding of the Labour position is that they would negotiate a deal with the EU (likely including a custom's union) and then hold a second referendum, in which the government would stay neutral.

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stordoff 2463 days ago
Johnson voted _against_ the withdrawal agreement twice, and then for it once. If Parliament is the problem, Johnson has been part of that problem. I'm also not sure what his clear strategy is. The current deal would involve going with a deal he has voted against twice and that his Leader of the House of Commons has recently described as "dreadful", and he has shown no indication that he is going to bring it back. The EU has accused him of "pretending to negotiate"[1], so I'm unclear where a new deal would come from.

Furthermore, unless I'm mistaken, I believe it has only been voted on three times.

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/13/kicking-up-...

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