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Let’s stop pretending the referendum was illegal eh?

(142 Posts)
Urmstongran Mon 24-Jun-19 17:54:53

So many times, over the last 3 years, those who voted to Remain in the EU disparaged the result - with posters often asking those of us who voted Leave if we were happy knowing the voting system was rigged/illegal?

Well this today, a quote from the ex LbDem Remainer:

“Much though I understand why people want to reduce that eruption in British politics to some kind of plot or conspiracy, some use of new social media through opaque means, I’m afraid the roots to British Euroscepticism go very, very deep…”

Nick Clegg, now Facebook's head of global affairs, rubbishing the idea that the Russians delivered Brexit through hijacking the social media platform.

Nonnie Tue 25-Jun-19 10:58:15

Lemon I agree with you "many had made their minds up years before." That is what is so worrying. They made up their minds with no idea of the consequences.

GG13 I cannot agree with you that "The vitriol directed to those who have admitted to voting leave is in my opinion getting worse and more personal.

Whilst I have not witnessed the same from leavers to those who voted remain." It seems quite the opposite to me especially on Twitter.

I still haven't seen any reasons why I should want to leave on any SM.

Urmstongran Tue 25-Jun-19 10:48:55

Why do Remainers seem to thrive on ‘worst case scenarios’ when no one knows yet how bad (or dare I say good?) things might end up.

I just think some people are pessimists.

Chucky Tue 25-Jun-19 10:00:33

I do hope that voters remember in the next general election what their elected MP’s stance has been in Parliament over this!
If he/she has continually blocked leaving, whereas their constituents had voted to leave, they have failed in their duty to represent those who put them in power and should suffer the consequences.
Remember, we are still supposed to be a democracy and current actions on the EU do not represent that!

Whitewavemark2 Tue 25-Jun-19 09:57:42

Was it conducted fraudulently by the leave campaign? Yes

MaizieD Tue 25-Jun-19 09:57:01

Pah! The sky isn’t going to fall in people. ...

Just because it hasn't disturbed your comfortable world, Ug, doesn't mean it hasn't happened, or is about to happen, to others.

And we still have no idea how 'leaving' is going to improve our lives. How is it going to improve yours, Ug. Are you suddenly going to develop an empathy bone?

Whitewavemark2 Tue 25-Jun-19 09:56:45

lucky ??

Urmstongran Tue 25-Jun-19 09:34:23

‘Distraught’ .??
Pah! The sky isn’t going to fall in people. ....
Such hyperbole about being able to look others in the eye.

Yes, you’re all upset the vote didn’t go as you wanted.
It was probably a shock to some (including the Establishment) but it’s time to crack on and get this done now.

3 long years have given Remainers false hope and I think the frustration that, even with the MP’s in huge numbers on their side, we are still about to exit the EU has made some Remainers even crosser (if that were possible!).

jura2 Tue 25-Jun-19 09:21:41

Opal, do not understand your post. It does not matter if people complain about it being illegal, at all ...

It does matter if it is PROVEN to be illegal, and in more ways than one, by our very own independent Commission, with clear evidence.

I do hope you can see the difference - and why some of us will never respect results won on fraud- especially now that we are so much more aware of the consequences, for the country as a whole, for farmers, for industry and its workers, for the NHS, and so much more - and especially our young people. I want to be able to look them in the eyes, my kids, grandkids, nephews and nieces, and young friends and say ' I did everything I could to stop this madness'. They are all distraught to know their parents voted leave.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 25-Jun-19 09:05:27

Those who want a “second referendum”..............Erdogan has just had a second vote in Istanbul as he thought it was unjust.........result was his party lost by even more in the second vote.

The last three years has been nothing but School Yard politics by all sides.

The vitriol directed to those who have admitted to voting leave is in my opinion getting worse and more personal.

Whilst I have not witnessed the same from leavers to those who voted remain.

Whatever the decision this situation has to be finalised on/by 31st October 2019. Whether we leave or remain we just have to move on......the sun shall still rise, the rain will still arrive at the end of the school day, we will carry on living our lives to the best of our abilities.

gangy5 Tue 25-Jun-19 08:57:02

Oh Bluebell - What a gloomy sermon. You obviously have no idea of the aims and inner workings of the EU. Keeping to the status quo is the aim of many who cannot imagine there to be any sunshine on the reverse of the coin. Thank goodness we're not all pessimists.

Luckygirl Tue 25-Jun-19 08:46:49

Was the referendum illegal? - No
Was it conducted badly - Yes
Was it wise to hold it? - No
Was it meant to be advisory? - Yes
Is it a total pig's ear? - Yes

BlueBelle Tue 25-Jun-19 08:46:27

A very small majority of the nation voted to leave built on lies, misinformation, sheer impossible situations and ignorance which they were fed and fell for No details were known about how to leave or the future when left either by the government or the general public and still isn’t we are as ignorant today as we were three years ago It was advisory only and would have stayed that way without the right wing media and moguls revving up the country to be frightened Fearful of immigrants ( who have for the most part played a big part in making a good country) fearful of Muslims fearful of Europe who we have been at peace with for 70+ years but once the Pandora’s box was opened it cannot be put to sleep so now we have a dreadful future for our children and grandchildren a fighting and jumpy nation with even families at war we have depression and doom and gloom and all for WHAT ? to leave somewhere where we were nicely jogging along far from perfect but definitely better than ok

MaizieD Tue 25-Jun-19 08:39:17

The 3 posts following mine are so worrying in their complete contempt for the principles which should underlie a democratic vote. Coming 'first' in a corrupted referendum is not democratic.

GracesGranMK3 Tue 25-Jun-19 08:04:17

I have to agree that the opening argument has nothing whatsoever to do with the headline, nor is it an argument that proves the veracity of the referendum. It's not really an argument that proves anything. As for not blaming leave voters for the way they voted to completely change what our country is and stands for, it is either something they are responsible for or they lack the capacity to be responsible for their vote. Either way it was your votes. There is no one else.

petunia Tue 25-Jun-19 07:44:00

Whether the vote was advisory, illegal or not, the vote exposed a single opinion. Of the people who voted, more than half were unhappy with our continued relationship with the EU. I wonder, if the vote was reversed, and remain had won, would the leavers quietly get back in their box and get on with their lives. I doubt it. The genie is now out of the bottle and a great division has been exposed in our society.

As lemongrove says, many many voters made up their minds years ago.

I get irritated with the assumption that we all woke up on voting day with no previous opinions or views and thought, “Oh, £350 million for the NHS, that's it then.”

The past three years have done little to change peoples minds,in fact I suspect many people have become more firmly entrenched in their view than they were three years ago.
Both sides have invested much into this situation. The leavers looking on in anger as the prospect of never escaping the ever closer union of the EU becomes less and less likely. The remainers hoping that it can all be kicked into the long grass and quietly forgotten.

Dark times whichever side you are on.

Chucky Tue 25-Jun-19 00:04:23

I agree Opal we should just get on with it.
I actually voted to remain and was disappointed in the result, however I respect your, and everyone else’s, right to vote for what you (they) think is best. That is what a democracy is all about, and I accept the result. If the remain vote had won, I would have expected you to accept that!

Under those conditions if there was another vote, I would now vote leave as to ignore the original result is against my democratic principles! So, as I have already said, we should respect the result and leave as soon as possible!

Opal Mon 24-Jun-19 23:37:29

OK, so let's just imagine for a moment, that 17.4 million voters voted to remain, instead of leave. And then the leavers complained that it was illegal and wanted another referendum. Do you think for one minute that we would have got one? No, of course not. I voted leave, would do so again and do not for one minute need the "forgiveness" of remain voters. There was a referendum, the nation voted to leave, now respect the result and get on with it.

MaizieD Mon 24-Jun-19 23:09:53

Oh Urmston you meany! Taking away their comfort blanket that somehow the referendum was ‘fraudulent’

That the result was obtained through fraud and corruption is indisputable; it was admitted in court by the government's own legal representative. The failure of Leavers to own this, and the fact that it makes a mockery of the democratic process, makes me very angry, and sceptical about their judgement and moral compass. They certainly run contra to the image the British like to promote of a nation that respects fairness and playing by the rules.

jura2 Mon 24-Jun-19 22:38:15

This is exactly where we will be GrandmaJan- we are there already.

Urmstongran Mon 24-Jun-19 22:34:56

And like other posters have said - I have my bingo card ready....

jura2 Mon 24-Jun-19 21:53:58

Whether you need it or not, is irrelevant to our young people - they won't forgive you.

GrandmaJan Mon 24-Jun-19 21:23:01

When David Cameron drew Obama into the debate I knew how the majority would vote. A US president interfering was uncalled for and saying we would be at the back of the queue when it came to trade deals was rubbish.

lemongrove Mon 24-Jun-19 21:15:44

Oh Urmston you meany! Taking away their comfort blanket that somehow the referendum was ‘fraudulent’ ?
Both sides were full of hot air at times, but we all made our own minds up, and many had made their minds up years before.
We don’t need to ‘be forgiven’ thanks jura!

jura2 Mon 24-Jun-19 20:46:08

then you will take double responsibility for your choices.

Urmstongran Mon 24-Jun-19 20:12:25

Okay you can blame me then jura2
I can take it.
I’d even vote the same way again.
?