UK Brexit, questions from an American

[emjay]

Hey can anyone answer this:

Say the leavers win the vote. Does that mean we will leave, for definite? Or is the decision still in the hands of the government ultimately?

Well I heard somewhere... but take it with a pinch of salt just like everything else about all of this... that there was too much opposition in parliament that even if leave won it still might not happen. But if it was blocked somehow then they'd have to answer to the people. So I hope that's not going to be the case, either way, otherwise this whole referendum would seem like no more than a charade.

[Minimalist]

A little point I heard one of my (English) cousins raise.  If Britain votes to leave in order to avoid the regulations that the EU puts on goods, won't Britain still have to comply with those regulations if they want to trade with EU countries, which is the vast majority of Britain's European exports?

That was one of the points that Oliver made.

[FatAndFaithless]

A little point I heard one of my (English) cousins raise.  If Britain votes to leave in order to avoid the regulations that the EU puts on goods, won't Britain still have to comply with those regulations if they want to trade with EU countries, which is the vast majority of Britain's European exports?

That was one of the points that Oliver made.

Oh, i guess he had watched that then, heh.

[robvalue]

Hey can anyone answer this:

Say the leavers win the vote. Does that mean we will leave, for definite? Or is the decision still in the hands of the government ultimately?

Well I heard somewhere... but take it with a pinch of salt just like everything else about all of this... that there was too much opposition in parliament that even if leave won it still might not happen. But if it was blocked somehow then they'd have to answer to the people. So I hope that's not going to be the case, either way, otherwise this whole referendum would seem like no more than a charade.

I kinda thought that might be the case. Cameron might by an inbred moronic simpleton, but he's not an idiot. I'm sure he's done the right thing and rigged the poll anyway

But for real... I think it shouldn't happen unless it's like a 70% win or something. Screwing everything around because 51% of Britain want to is a scary prospect.

[emjay]

Well I heard somewhere... but take it with a pinch of salt just like everything else about all of this... that there was too much opposition in parliament that even if leave won it still might not happen. But if it was blocked somehow then they'd have to answer to the people. So I hope that's not going to be the case, either way, otherwise this whole referendum would seem like no more than a charade.

I kinda thought that might be the case. Cameron might by an inbred moronic simpleton, but he's not an idiot. I'm sure he's done the right thing and rigged the poll anyway

But for real... I think it shouldn't happen unless it's like a 70% win or something. Screwing everything around because 51% of Britain want to is a scary prospect.

 Well I hope not tbh... otherwise what sort of message is it sending out? that you can't trust politicians   But it is a good point... did they ever state what the referendum was actually for? Because if they didn't, they might be able to weasel out their obligations on those grounds. Don't get me wrong, I'm in the remain camp, but if we win I want it to be fair and square.

Yeah, I don't know about that 70% thing... who gets to decide... (i.e. then it could be used in the same sort of way as 'I'll toss you for it'... 'best out of three?'). Again that's perhaps something that's been left in the air beforehand again making it easier to weasel out of.

[robvalue]

Yeah, I really have no idea what the agreement is. I wouldn't be surprised if it was purposely left vague for weasel room like you say.

I trust politicians as far as I can throw Europe.

[emjay]

Yeah, I really have no idea what the agreement is. I wouldn't be surprised if it was purposely left vague for weasel room like you say.

I trust politicians as far as I can throw Europe.

To be honest though... as much as I want politicians to live up to their promises at the same time I think the whole idea of a referendum to decide major policy stinks. Because it's just a propaganda war on both sides. It's like in a mafia game... scum usually tries to change the lynch at the last minute relying on panic and not thinking things through. That's what it feels like for this... that it will be a win for propaganda whichever way it goes... a win for the power of advertising and little more.

[robvalue]

Yeah. I think a referendum is a terrible idea here. I feel like all happened because Tories were scared of UKIP and had to throw something on the table.

I'm all for democracy, but not when people get to vote

You're right, it's a war of marketing and scaremongering more than anything else. But then what election isn't?

[emjay]

Yep, it's the way of the world... stick sucks though

[Dystopia]

Noteable Brexiters include Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and my step-grandfather. Based on this, I will be putting a cross in the Remain box so hard it'll turn to diamond under the pen.

I just hope you're not saying every person who is skeptical of European institutions is in the same page as Donald Trump and Nigel Farage. Obviously there's "wrong" reasons for wanting to leave. I'm not necessarily a proponent of leaving, I'm just someone who is skeptical of allegedly democratic institutions and with due reason. Again, I'm not commenting the Brexit position - I'm not British, I don't personally care about what British people want to do as long as it's democratic, I'm just saying being euro-skeptical doesn't mean you are a trump supporter.