Is it too late for a U turn on Brexit or at least watering it down?

Yes DD but the PM is bound to feature somewhere in the mix. I would imagine that TM would wish to take some role.

The PM won't be leading the negotiations. May will probably send David Davis. Corbyn would probably send Keir Starmer. I know whom I would rather have as a negotiator.

I read an article this morning written by a previous UK ambassador who says that TM is entirely the wrong person to send to do any negotiating. He goes through the qualities you need o do the job and concludes by saying that Jeremy Corbyn would be a far better bet as he listens and has manners!

mollie how can you be so certain about Brexit until it happens?

To indicate that on the first of April 1999 we will be able to look to the rest of the world for our markets is yet another lie the Brexiters have put about. I think Fox quickly discovered that his ministry is a none ministry and will be so for a number of years. The government has shown to my mind a complete lack of knowledge or understanding to matters Brexit, and are only now remotely beginning to come to terms with the enormity of the task ahead.

Mollie, Europe is on the doorstep. New Xealand is a lot further away.
Europe has a population of over 700 million.
New Zealand has a population of 4.5 million.
Can you see the difference?

I know, you did, roses. That's why I said a sizeable minority. Even more votes than the Libdems.

Can you think of any reason why someone who voted for UKIP wouldn't vote for Brexit?

Good post mollie

Or, MaizieD, at what stage will Remainers think Brexit wasn't so disastrous and end-of-the-world as they feared? It could be alright, not utopia but not inferno either. It could be a way into a world that is a bit different, that provides us with new opportunities. It's already made those in government aware that us ordinary folks have opinions and they won't forget that in a hurry. It's a bit like the fear that ran with the millennium - doom and gloom foretold but actually...and why? Because people did their best before the clock struck midnight to protect themselves. That's what we need to do now... Europe won't close its door on us entirely, we are still a useful market place, a source of tourist income for example. And it will be nice for the UK to govern itself again. We ought to look to NZ who suffered when we joined the EU, it lost a huge market because we ditched them as condition of joining the common market. NZ has a thriving and growing economy now...just a thought...

I said 'the vast majority' dj so even if all voted for Brexit that leaves 13 million voters of other parties.

Nearly 4 million UKIP voters, by the way. A sizeable minority, I would say. Third highest number of votes cast, after Tory and Labour.

Do you know more than anyone else about Brexit, roses?
How can it be watered down or not if we don't know what it is?
Mayhem wants to keep negotiations secret. How do you know what she is negotiating about?

You see Cindersdad that's where your argument falls down, the vast majority of the over 17 million people who voted for Brexit are not UKIP voters or anything like it! We who voted Leave expect the government to crack on with things as soon as the GE is over, not water things down, have a second referendum or generally drag their feet.

You all know my views on the referendum result, it was a disaster. But we need to consider what can be done now and how it should be done. Immediately we must encourage everyone to vote in the general election for which ever party they prefer.

The higher the turn out the better the reflection of the views of the people. I can't see an ideal outcome and just hope that TM doesn't get a big majority. Remember that the majority of MP's (current and probably future) voted REMAIN and we voted them in. Also that parliament elected by FPTP is not a true reflection of popular views. The overall vote count across all parties and all constituencies shows a closer snapshot of public opinion; even that is not accurate due to a combination of apathy and tactical voting.

However after the election we can individually write to our own MP's giving our views on PR and Brexit. Join groups like "Make Votes Matter" and "Open Britain". If enough of us complain calmly, reasoned and articulately the powers that be may take notice; the rabble rousers (UKIP etc.) must be shown for what they are.

www.cer.org.uk/publications/archive/bulletin-article/2017/why-no-deal-would-be-much-worse-bad-deal

How can it be too late for a watering down? Nothing has been decided yet.

Lies?

These lies which have been constantly fed to the British public over at least the last 20 years

blogs.ec.europa.eu/ECintheUK/euromyths-a-z-index/

This site has tracked them since 1992

I am surrounded by people, young and old, who mostly think that the Leave vote winning was a ghastly mistake so I can't ask the question of people I know, but I do wonder at what stage in the disintegration of the UK and the UK economy people will start suspecting that voting to leave might have been a bit of a mistake. Or what amount of pain they are willing to put up with to enjoy their freedom from the monstrous EU.

James. Nothing wrong with your OP at all. Enjoy your holiday.

The referendum was only advisory as referendums are in the UK,BUT David Cameron announced that whatever the result it would be acted upon. This was agreed by the H of C, so they could hardly backtrack that announcement because the result was the 'wrong' one!!. Probably a ploy by D.C. to prevent N.Farage from badgering for a re-run if the result had been a close run thing the other way round!!!

To answer James no, too late for a change of heart or watering down Brexit.

Yes, it's a three pipe problem all right Watson. don't ya just love the iPad.

Yes - I typed Shylock - was thinking about Portia - but I dare say the iPad knew better - drives me mad!
Yes I do have faith in some of the Europeans - I read a lot of their speeches etc and watch the EU parliament and also foreign news - have always been interested in foreigners and how they live etc.

You have more faith in the Eurocrats than me, Welshwife. We may never know...we might find out in time...time will tell.

(Er, Sherlock? Shylock perhaps?)

I think they are bigger than that Mollie and most things would gradually settle down again. None of them have mentioned acting like Sherlock!

I'm sure they'd be happy for us to stay but what pound of flesh might they attempt to extract...our standing would have changed and the pre-brexit ripples, that people are already claiming to be suffering from, will have been in effect for a while...can the EU promise to put that all behind them and treat us as equals and fairly?

The EU have continually stated that Brexit can be halted at any time and they would welcome the Uk back while the process is going on.