Brexit: Think Again

[bainbrig]

Michael Morpurgo argues it's time to think again over Brexit.

"It is surely time to accept that we have made a mistake", he writes, "that whichever way we voted, things are not turning out the way we expected".

"Or are we too proud?" he asks.

Listen, if you're not one of the shouty brigade, to Morpurgo's reasoned argument on BBC4's Point of View

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bclyj3

It's only ten minutes long, and will give you cause/pause for thought.

BillB

[Old_Geezer]

The only thing we may wish to think again about is who negotiates with the EU on our behalf. The present PM seems to think Brexit doesn't mean exit. But aside from that, we voted to take control back and that aim hasn't changed. Still, Fox reckons it's odds on a bad deal won't occur, which is at least something to build on.

[webbo3]

From Wiki.
Well he would wouldn't he.

\\In the run up to the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016, Morpurgo expressed his support for the European Union in an interview with the BBC.[21]//

he also opposed Scottish independence.
\\n August 2014, Morpurgo was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to The Guardian opposing Scottish independence in the run-up to September's referendum on that issue.[18]//

[Togo]

Doesn't he write stories for children?

[naomi24]

//"It is surely time to accept that we have made a mistake"//

The mistake is in trying to wheedle around the result of the vote and failing to deliver Brexit.

[maggiebee]

Sir Michael Andrew Bridge Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL, FKC, DL is an English book author, poet, playwright, and librettist who is known best for children's novels such as War Horse. Although aimed primarily at young people, these can be read by people of all ages. I have heard him talk and it was one of the most enjoyable talks I have been to. Will listen to his argument on Points of View but would guess it will be very reasoned and well thought out.

[vulcan42]

"that whichever way we voted, things are not turning out the way we expected".
He's wrong here to begin with, we did realise the EU would put obstacles in our path, we knew they would say no to everything because what we wanted, to leave, is a complete anathema to them. If the transition went smoothly, other countries would also want to leave and the whole system would crumble, again they couldn't accept that. We also guessed it would end in a "no deal" exit. But we still voted exit.

[Khandro]

So; a writer of children's stories is unhappy because more people voted leave, than he and others voted remain.
The question to ask is why the BBC wish to draw attention to this completely uninteresting fact from someone whose opinion is of no more value than yours or mine?

[anneasquith]

Imo. He makes sense, but alas too late :-(

[Voltage]

obviously Theresa may didn't want brexit...she's hanging it out and making a complete cock up of it all...a disgrace!!

[bainbrig]

Thanks maggiebee, anneasquith.

Once the others here have actually LISTENED to Morpurgo's short talk, I'll respond to them. As of now, they are just SHOUTY brigade members. What's the motto, people? Shout first think later? (Oh bliss, think at all would be a start).

BB

[dannyk13]

The only shouting going on here Bainbrig is from you using upper case letters which is against Site Rules.Please refrain.

[drmorgans]

Amol Rajan seems to be one of the few commentators at the BBC who has an understanding of why people voted to leave - democratic deficit, an economy where only London and the south-east benefits, i.e. not just saying it was a group of old, ignorant, racists.

[ichkeria]

Even Brexiters don’t seem to want the Brexit on offer so I’d suggest that yes it is certainly time to think again.
What will kill it is the customs conundrum: it seems insoluble to me as things stand. It’s the key reason the EU don’t like the Chequers thing.
I still think it’ll happen but not on the date forseen

[naomi24]

Spath, //blaming remainers for brexit is like being told by your mum there is hot water in the bowl then putting your hands in and blaming your mum for being scalded.//

But the people negotiating Brexit are Remainers ….

//She [Mrs May] was elected though.... democracy at its finest.//

She wasn’t. The government was elected.

[naomi24]

ichkeria, // Even Brexiters don’t seem to want the Brexit on offer //


Brexit isn't on offer and never has been.

[naomi24]

bainbrig, //Once the others here have actually LISTENED to Morpurgo's short talk, I'll respond to them. //

Your response, to me at least, would be surplus to requirements. Whatever your man says, I won't be re-thinking my decision.

[andy-hughes]

The inference in the phrase 'Think again … ' is that I voted incorrectly the first time - to leave the EU.

I used my democratic vote, and I thought about it first, and I resent the implication from Remainers that I was being naive and / or dim the first time, and they knew best.

I don't appreciate being patronised.

[Garaman]

As Khandro says, it is questionable why a media outlet would air someone's view when it is no more valid than yours or mine. That woman who was on a reality TV show for example, Katie whatever her name is.