LETTER: EU referendum akin to a survey? I think not

I read with interest the two letters and New Year message in (Mail, January 5) relating to Brexit.

In his New Year message Mr Rodney Sadd made some good points but his claim that it is ‘vital to retain access to the Single Market’ is a bit optimistic. Obviously the UK Government would like to retain access to this market but whilst it is tied to freedom of movement I just cannot see how this will be achieved.

As the EU negotiators seem to be insisting that they will not budge from the link between the two then it would seem prudent to plan the exit strategy with this firmly in mind. It is generally accepted that the vote for Brexit was not for financial reasons but for control of our borders so it is reasonable to assume that unless the EU change their stance we will be leaving the single market.

I was sorry to see that Mr John Tippler used the old strategy of confusing statistics when he produced figures to counter ‘we the people’ by claiming that only 40 per cent of registered electors voted to leave.

What Mr Tippler did not put in his letter was that he is including in his figure the 27.8 per cent who either did not vote, abstained or spoilt their ballot paper.
In fact 51.9 per cent voted to leave and as all trade unionists know if you do not vote, abstain or spoil your ballot paper then you are effectively voting for the winner. If you cannot be bothered to go down to the ballot box and vote or spoil your voting slip then by not voting you are accepting the result of those who did.

I think, therefore, that it is fair to say that 79.7 per cent were in favour of leaving the EU. Only three areas voted to stay in the EU – London, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The rest of the UK voted – in some cases such as Lincolnshire – overwhelmingly to leave.

For Mr Swallow to claim that the referendum was just an opinion poll and no more important than a survey you may be asked to complete in a town centre is patently ridiculous.

Parliament had a vote in the Referendum Bill and the majority in favour of holding it was substantial. The implication of this vote was that Parliament passed the authority regarding membership of the EU to the population of the UK. David Cameron even issued a leaflet in which he stated that it was “your (our) chance to decide, if we should remain in or leave the European Union.”

He also stated: “This is your decision. The Government will implement what you decide.”

I would like to know of any market place survey that has had this level of debate and Government involvement. The reason there is such an outcry and court cases around the Brexit decision and why there was no plan for the exit of the UK is because most MPs did not believe we would vote to leave.

The people of the UK have made their decision and I am sure that they will live with the consequences, both good and bad.

Alan Hammersley
Priestfield Drove
Gedney