A letter to my MP about the Referendum

The result of the Referendum has been very divisive and the sooner we all know where we stand the better, and it is important that our MPs make it clear to their constituents that they understand the  pros and cons of either leaving immediately - or standing back to properly assess how we can best move forward to a prosperous and more democratic society.

As a result I have written the following letter to my MP saying that I will support him in whichever decision he makes as long as he can assure me that he understands the risks involved.

Dear Sir

As you will be getting many very lengthy letters I will just give a brief analogy.

A group of people by a buys and democratically elect you as the bus driver in the belief that you will drive them safely to wherever they want to go. They discuss two possible outings in the bus and then democratically vote (by a majority of one) to go to a very attractive place for which no clear road map exists.

You set out and find the road runs between quick sands and suddenly there is water rising round the wheels of the bus. In democratic terms you have two choices.

(1)   The advisory vote on the destination is absolute and you drive on through the rising tide, ignoring the screams from some of the passengers (including some who voted for the destination) who are looking out of the window.  Perhaps you can get through before the tide overwhelms the bus – but if not the resulting the tombstones can carry the words “Died upholding democracy.”

(2)   The democratic vote that chose you to be a safe bus driver is more important than the later advisory vote. Safety of the passengers is more important than whether a particular destination is reached to a particular day. You reverse away and ignore the jibs from the party at the back who are so drunk with the success in winning the vote on the destination that they have not had time to look through the window.

As my MP you are now in the equivalent of the bus drivers seat. because I, and many other voters in the constituency, have trusted you believing that you have the welfare of the passengers at heart, and would not take any unjustified risks.

Option one has very high risks associated with it and if this option is taken there is no coming back. It you take this option it is important that you have a very good understanding of how the very powerful tidal forces of the international trading world – including the possibility of hurricanes of uncertainty certain strength. In case the bus gets deflected from the road you will also need to have an excellent understand how to navigate through the political quicksand of Europe and other countries we want to trade with. Because some of the passengers are panicking their actions could destabilize the bus and increase the possibility of failure

Option 2 has not significant risks for the passengers as the journey can be made on a later date, once the route has been mapped and a tide table acquired. There may be an immediate risk to you personally – as the jibs from the back could lead to someone else being democratically elected to your position in your place.

As long as you can convince me that you have the skills and knowledge to properly assess the risks associated with the route you choose you have my full support.