I’ve watched his show daily for quite a while. His position evolved on this and he agreed with callers who said there should be no 2nd referendum until the first one was implemented and that the only acceptable 2nd referendum right now should be over what form Brexit will take.
that seems defensible... yes?
Yes, that’s now. Before, he was saying exactly what the die-hard Bremainers were saying “If leave loses 52:48 I will keep demanding a second referendum”
He’s not “evolving” - he’s denying his opponents the same tactic he promised if he lost by the same margin.
A 2nd referendum on the type of Brexit would make sense IF the options are clearly posted out:
1. No deal Brexit - the UK trades with the EU on WTO terms, has a hard border in Ireland (As demanded by the WTO rules and per leavers view)
2. The UK has the Norway/Switzerland-type post-Brexit relationship (Theresa May’s deal) with the entire UK in a customs union with the EU, paying into the EU dues, following EU rules and no decision making powers
3. Only NI goes into a customs union with the EU, the rest of the UK goes into option 1 - WTO rules trading with the EU.This means a border in the Irish sea
4. Cancel Article 50 - no Brexit.
It needs to be put explicitly what are the options
AND the rules for “winning” need to be made explicit - is it the option with >50% of the votes win or the one with the simple majority? Either way, option 4 would win - to cancel Brexit.
So then perhaps a two step question
Q1. Continue with Brexit? Yes/ No
Answer below only if you choose Yes
Q2. What type of Brexit do you choose?
1. No deal Brexit - the UK trades with the EU on WTO terms, has a hard border in Ireland (As demanded by the WTO rules and per leavers view)
2. The UK has the Norway/Switzerland-type post-Brexit relationship (Theresa May’s deal) with the entire UK in a customs union with the EU, paying into the EU dues, following EU rules and no decision making powers
3. Only NI goes into a customs union with the EU, the rest of the UK goes into option 1 - WTO rules trading with the EU.This means a border in the Irish sea
And here again - is it simple majority? or what?
A referendum needs to be explicitly detailed on such a complex matter - it’s not a simple “leave/remain” and never was - its “what type of leave or remain”