top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

UK government caught in referendum trap

The tragedy of an irrevocably divided UK is the result of a shambolic Brexit, sired by a totally inappropriate and equally shambolic referendum.

At the very mention of the word referendum, the UK government became snared by a trap of its own making, a trap from which it would be difficult, if not impossible, to extricate itself.

Wise counsel of the few remaining elder statesmen in Parliament has been virtually obliterated by more than three years of political ineptitude and clap-trap.

One imagines the only logical reason why several million citizens (EU nationals living in the UK) were denied their vote was simply that the government administered it as if for a constituency election, where they do not, and cannot, have an MP.

Secondly, having opted for a referendum, it is obligatory to inform citizens of knowledge, at least sufficient, of the issues at stake and their consequences as well as the foreseeable ongoing and long-term staggering cost in public funds and human resources.

Failure to do so results in a meaningless outcome.

Even at this 12th hour, one wonders if it may yet be too late for common sense to prevail. A vain hope maybe.

John Morris, Dordogne

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*
Featured Help Guide
- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - but also contains significant general information pertinent to readers of other nationalities - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened
Get news, views and information from France