Something really nasty in parts of the British polity

The referendum of 23^rd June this year has unleashed some pretty nasty public displays of bigotry, intolerance if not downright racism and has shown a worrying disregard to facts and logic. Yes I did vote to remain but I fully accept the result and we have to leave the EU. However the reaction to the decision of the High Court (03/11/2016) in some quarters cannot be excused as a mere excess of febrility. Below are some of the headlines (04/11/2016) in the printed media:

Daily Telegraph:-

“The Judges versus the people”

Nigel Farage quoted as saying:

“Voters aren't going to let this incredible

arrogance lie”

Daily Mail:-

“Enemies of the people (Fury over 'out of touch' judges who defied 17.4m Brexit voters and could trigger a constitutional crisis”

Daily Express:-

“We must get out of the EU

Three judges yesterday blocked Brexit

Now your country really does need you...”

Sun:-

“Who do EU think you are?

Judges Brexit blow. Loaded foreign elite defy will of Brit voters”

Some facts:

1) Referendum result: Leave 17,410,742 (51.9%); Remain 16,141,241 (48.1%) (BBC News). So while these newspapers might want you to believe that some great injustice has or is about to be imposed on the British people there are many millions who probably consider this result to be pretty evenly balanced. As for arrogance I think these figures suggest that it would at the very least be mis-placed by either party.

2) The judgement was about process not the substantive issue. In simple terms the exercise of the Royal prerogative is constrained by existing Acts of Parliament (1610) and the Bill of Rights 1688. Membership of the EU conferred on British Citizens rights via the European Act of 1972. It follows that any attempt to remove or contemplate such removal of those rights has to receive the approval of Parliament. Monarchs once claimed the Divine right to rule – 1610 and 1688 said no – Parliament is sovereign!

“(The Lord Chief Justice said the Government’s attempts to trigger Article 50 without consulting MPs were “contrary to the fundamental constitutional principles of the sovereignty of Parliament”. The judgement concludes: “We decide that the Government does not have the power under the Crown’s prerogative to give notice pursuant to Article 50 for the UK to withdraw from the European Union.)” Courtesy Independent 04/11/2016.

Since the judgement is about process Brexit is not blocked!

3) Trust the Sun to nuance dislike and mis-trust of non indigenous British people.

“The People’s Challenge is a crowd-funded coalition of citizens against Brexit, including members who are ex-pats living abroad, as well as citizens in Gibraltar and Northern Ireland. Investment manager Gina Miller and hairdresser Deir Dos Santos were also chief claimants in the case against the Government.”Courtesy Independent 04/11/2016.

4) Speaking as a person residing in the Provinces (Cheshire actually) to hear metropolitan newspapers talk about an elite and out of touch just makes me laugh – they really ought to get out more! Do more real research and analysis and stop portraying gossip as reality.