Why is having another EU referendum undemocratic?

Original post by theworld223

Surely it would actually show what the will of the people actually is now we have a better idea about what Brexit will mean? I really don't see why people are unable to change their view about something. It would be more undemocratic for the government to ignore what the will of the people is now, considering we have a better picture of what Brexit will mean (even though it still isn't clear).

Because we haven’t implemented the result of the first.

Reply 2

PTMalewski

Debate & Current Affairs Helper

Original post by JMR2019.

Because we haven’t implemented the result of the first.

How is that an argument? Experience is fools' teacher.

Reply 3

JMR2021_

Original post by PTMalewski

How is that an argument? Experience is fools' teacher.

You don’t keep repeating the question until you get the answer you want, defeats the point of a referendum. Democracy only works if you actual act on the decisions people make.

Reply 4

PTMalewski

Debate & Current Affairs Helper

Original post by JMR2019.

You don’t keep repeating the question until you get the answer you want, defeats the point of a referendum. Democracy only works if you actual act on the decisions people make.

1. Very well, but what if they made a decision that the previous decision should be abandoned before its execution?
2. Democracy doesn't work. Democracy inevitably turns into Ochlocracy and liquidates itself, bringing whole society and state into downfall.

Reply 5

JMR2021_

Original post by PTMalewski

1. Very well, but what if they made a decision that the previous decision should be abandoned before its execution?
2. Democracy doesn't work. Democracy inevitably turns into Ochlocracy and liquidates itself, bringing whole society and state into downfall.

1) If that is the case, then what argument can you use to logically justify the leave side not calling for another referendum to reverse the second?
2) Democracy is the only system in which the desires of most are brought about.

Reply 6

DarthRoar

It's not good to keep doing referendums until you get the 'right' answer. The EU actually has a long history of doing this, which is actually rather undemocratic.

If major referendum results can be subjected to fear-mongering in order to change opinion for another referendum, then the ability for the population to have free choice is damaged. Do this a few times, and you're well on the way to the collapse of your democracy.

Reply 7

nexttime

Tbh its not like referenda were a big part of British democracy anyway, and they certainly won't be in the future after this **** up!

Reply 8

Vinny C

Because the thugs might lose? They care sod all for democracy... only about getting their own way.

Reply 9

karl pilkington

If you had a football match and then the losers wanted a rematch would the second match negate the result or the first? Why would a second referendum be more valid than the first?

Reply 10

Because weve had one and the leavers won.

I will just be glad when its over, but it has been very damaging for the country.

There are also crap sides of the EU that I wont miss.

Only time will tell who got it right. Dont trust Labour Corbyn, Abbott, Lammy, McDonald. nit dont trust Boris et al either. Complete shambles.

Reply 11

Original post by karl pilkington

If you had a football match and then the losers wanted a rematch would the second match negate the result or the first? Why would a second referendum be more valid than the first?

Parliament can do what it likes.
A general election would give them a mandate.
They could then make the referendum compulsory for voting, so everyone voted and people would be more informed. Wont happen though.

Reply 12

karl pilkington

Original post by 999tigger

Parliament can do what it likes.
A general election would give them a mandate.
They could then make the referendum compulsory for voting, so everyone voted and people would be more informed. Wont happen though.

That was all nonsense I was answering a specific question.

Reply 13

Original post by karl pilkington

That was all nonsense I was answering a specific question.

Sometimes it really shows with you. Go and look up some constitutional law.

Reply 14

BasicMistake

18

Original post by karl pilkington

If you had a football match and then the losers wanted a rematch would the second match negate the result or the first? Why would a second referendum be more valid than the first?

That's not a legitimate analogy.

In a football game the teams are fixed so if a specific team wins game one then loses game two then all of its players win game one and lose game two. You can't compare it to a vote where an individual can win twice or lose twice despite each team winning once because they can switch sides.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 15

RogerOxon

21

Original post by JMR2019.

You don’t keep repeating the question until you get the answer you want, defeats the point of a referendum. Democracy only works if you actual act on the decisions people make.

1. 1.9% is not enough for a multi-year process, although the time to argue that one has passed;
2. Parliament cannot progress Brexit - they cannot agree on which option to take. A referendum would break this impasse. It would not be the same question, as it would be on concrete options.

Reply 16

BasicMistake

18

Original post by JMR2019.

Because we haven’t implemented the result of the first.

How do we implement the result of the first? No deal?

If so it just comes back to the argument about what was the specific mandate provided by the first referendum.

Reply 17

RogerOxon

21

Original post by 999tigger

They could then make the referendum compulsory for voting, so everyone voted and people would be more informed. Wont happen though.

It's people not being informed that, IMO, got us into this mess. Politicians have time and resources to research the consequences of different plans of action - the general public does not. 'Leave' were sold simplistic lies, and lapped it up.

Reply 18

Original post by RogerOxon

It's people not being informed that, IMO, got us into this mess. Politicians have time and resources to research the consequences of different plans of action - the general public does not. 'Leave' were sold simplistic lies, and lapped it up.

Its all very unsatisfactory and sad we are sleepwalking into this.
The politicians have been useless and more interested in politics than whats best for the country, at some stage that can mean compromise. They say they dont want a no deal brexit but weak government has meant Labour the ERG and DUP have been able to dictate.

Much rather the country was run by business people civil servants and technocrats for the next decade. We will now have to see, but its going to be galling for the ones that lose their jobs.

Reply 19

nexttime