The relationship between Brexit and democracy is fraught. For many, the vote to leave the European Union was a moment in which ‘the people’ were finally able to make their voice heard. But where are ‘the people’ now? Yesterday evening, we hosted ‘Brexit and the people’, an evening of discussion around bringing people back into the Brexit debate. The panel, chaired by journalist Mary Riddell, brought together Maurice Glasman (Life peer and director of the Common Good), Rob Ford (Professor of Political Science, Manchester University), and Ruth Ibegbuna (Chief
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The relationship between Brexit and democracy is fraught. For many, the vote to leave the European Union was a moment in which ‘the people’ were finally able to make their voice heard. But where are ‘the people’ now?
Yesterday evening, we hosted ‘Brexit and the people’, an evening of discussion around bringing people back into the Brexit debate.
The panel, chaired by journalist Mary Riddell, brought together Maurice Glasman (Life peer and director of the Common Good), Rob Ford (Professor of Political Science, Manchester University), and Ruth Ibegbuna (Chief Executive, RECLAIM).
If you couldn’t make it, here are some highlights from last night.
How can we bring people back into the Brexit debate?
BREXIT AND THE PEOPLE – @Miatsf introducing this event claiming Brexit negotiations have become abstracted from a discussion with those that will be most impacted. She then asks how we can put people back at the heart of of Brexit @NEF pic.twitter.com/s2B0BGpZij
— New School Economics (@NseGoldsmiths) November 28, 2017
We need to ‘stop sneering’ at people who voted leave…
People who feel less at centre of politics than 30 years ago were those who voted Brexit. Sneering at them belittles their legitimacy – @robfordmancs #brexitandthepeople
— NEF (@NEF) November 28, 2017
…and understand why people voted the way they did.
Britain needs to have difficult conversations on why some people feel left behind – @MsIbegbuna #brexitandthepeople
— NEF (@NEF) November 28, 2017
Many people across the UK feel like they’ve been held back.
“Look at this place. It’s already shit and can’t get worse”. @MsIbegbuna on residents in Wales asked why they voted for Brexit #brexitandthepeople
— NEF (@NEF) November 28, 2017
The referendum was about preserving their voice in our democracy.
This isn’t about money. This is about preserving an inheritance of democratic self-governance, says Maurice Glasman #brexitandthepeople
— NEF (@NEF) November 28, 2017
Bringing people back into the debate
We need to think about where we have these conversations…
You have to take these conversations to places where communities meet, not just meeting rooms like this – @MsIbegbuna #brexitandthepeople
— NEF (@NEF) November 28, 2017
…and understand we are dealing with people – their stories and emotions are all tied up in this debate.
We vote on symbols and values not manifestos. “Education campaigns” would have made little difference to EU ref – @robfordmancs #brexitandthepeople
— NEF (@NEF) November 28, 2017
The Brexit vote was a source of joy in my area says @MsIbegbuna #brexitandthepeople
— NEF (@NEF) November 28, 2017
The relationship between Brexit and democracy is already fraught.
Did people who voted for Brexit trust Gove and Johnson? No – they trusted a direct democratic mechanism. Ignoring that would cause more harm. – @robfordmancs #brexitandthepeople
— NEF (@NEF) November 28, 2017
We need to bring civil society back into the conversation…
Where is civil society in this process of democratic renewal – question from audience #brexitandthepeople
— NEF (@NEF) November 28, 2017
…and politicians need to make room for the British people in this debate.
Politicians need to be listening to civil society not leading – @MsIbegbuna #brexitandthepeople
— NEF (@NEF) November 28, 2017
A more open, democratic Britain should start right here, with a Brexit debate that includes ‘the people’ as well as politicians.
