Tony Blair thinks Brits may be having second thoughts about Brexit.
The former Prime Minister said the U.K. should keep its "options open" over its decision to leave the European Union until it becomes clear what kind of deal it can get.
"If it becomes clear that this is either a deal that doesn't make it worth our while leaving, or alternatively a deal that's going to be so serious in its implications, people may decide they don't want to go," Blair told the BBC.
He said there could be a way to reverse the June referendum result if the British people change their mind. That could take place via a vote in parliament, a general election, or even another referendum.
"We just don't know what we're going to be offered as an alternative and once we know we'll be in a position to make a decision," he said.
Blair is not the only one suggesting there are still options to avoid leaving the EU. At least five legal challenges against Brexit are being considered by U.K. courts.
Blair, who campaigned against Brexit ahead of the referendum, said the vote was a "catastrophe."
Writing in The New Europea newspaper on Friday, he said the result had to be respected but the 48% of voters who wanted to stay in the EU could win the argument as the facts of Brexit come to light.
"We're the insurgents now," Blair wrote in an article published in The New European newspaper. "We have to prise apart the alliance which gave us Brexit."
Full article: Tony Blair: U.K. may need a second vote on Brexit
Full article: Tony Blair: U.K. may need a second vote on Brexit
I think most people would agree by now that the brexit vote was not a good decision, but the idea of ignoring and/or attempting to reverse a referendum decision does not sit well with me. Once a popular decision is made, it shouldn't be reversed by those in parliament because they don't like the outcome. I have every sympathy for Britain in this situation, but it made a decision and I don't think going back on a popular vote is the best way to handle this unfortunate situation.
ReplyDeleteIn theory, the government could ignore the result, although doing so would totally bring some tense reactions and anger from the 52% of Brits who voted to leave. The referendum doesn't itself cause Brexit. It still requires the decision of a government. There is no legal obstacle to a second referendum being held, analysts say. However holding a second, divisive referendum simply because some people were not happy with the outcome is unlikely to prove a pleasant solution. I don't believe that this petition for a second referendum in and of itself can stop Brexit from happening.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who was raised in a country that almost decided to leave the EU (Greece) during the NAI or OXI vote in the summer of 2015, I find myself really confused on this matter. I am sure there are positives and negatives on both sides of the debating panel other wise there would not be a debate in the first place. As a normal citizen though whose parents have never read a news paper and only find out about what is happening in the world from television, I cannot have a bigger picture, therefore a right opinion. It is wrong to give us the weight of the vote in serious matters like this one without giving us the information needed just to take it out of the politicians conscience.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who was raised in a country that almost decided to leave the EU (Greece) during the NAI or OXI vote in the summer of 2015, I find myself really confused on this matter. I am sure there are positives and negatives on both sides of the debating panel other wise there would not be a debate in the first place. As a normal citizen though whose parents have never read a news paper and only find out about what is happening in the world from television, I cannot have a bigger picture, therefore a right opinion. It is wrong to give us the weight of the vote in serious matters like this one without giving us the information needed just to take it out of the politicians conscience.
ReplyDeleteTaking into consideration that the EU and Canada just signed a new trade deal, I do feel that the English will regret their decision to leave the EU even more in the near future. The idea of a second vote, in theory, appeals to me, but I fear it would cause too much trouble domestically in the UK.
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