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Brexit: has Greg Sheridan actually noticed?

By Arthur Dent - posted Friday, 7 June 2019


I first drew attention to the fact that a second referendum was now inevitable when the Tory party lost its majority by holding a snap election in June 2017 – TWO YEARS AGO. I explained that I was only mentioning such an obvious point because none of the media reports seemed to be aware of it.

In subsequent updates on the saga I have consistently held that view, while Greg Sheridan has consistently blithered.

Last December 18 I wrote:

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This article comes to much the same conclusions, confirming my point 8 that it will soon be "reasonably obvious":

https://www.politico.eu/article/sherlock-holmes-and-the-brexit-mystery-theresa-may-no-deal-second-referendum-eu/

Meanwhile it is clear that several cabinet members as well as Downing street staff working directly with the Prime Minister, including her Chief of staff are actively making arrangements with other parties for Parliament to go through the motions of voting on all other options (which will demonstrate the total isolation of those advocating "no deal") and then adopt the only one remaining – another referendum. That process could drag on for weeks or even months after April Fool's Day, in order to guarantee a vote to remain, but not for years.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-news-theresa-may-vote-deal-greg-clark-parliament-commons-liam-fox-hinds-second-referendum-a8686491.html

Here's a report "denying" other reports of preparations in case a second referendum becomes inevitable (ie "in case" Parliament rejects both "no deal" and the only deal available, as is now pretty certain). The denial takes the form of insisting that the deniers do not "want" a second referendum, which is not quite the same as denying preparations for that becoming inevitable.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/16/no-10-denies-making-plans-for-second-brexit-referendum

It will be interesting to see how long it takes Greg Sheridan to catch on. One would think even he would understand that the screams of treachery he is echoing from the Brexiteers are based on their reasonable assessment that they have been deliberately maneuvered into isolation.

https://c21stleft.com/2018/12/14/brexit-april-fools-day-joke-could-be-nearly-over/#comment-1530

You would think Sheridan might have got it when Prime Minister May actually announced it recently and cabinet objected that it must not actually be moved by the Tory party in a Bill but only forced on them by an amendment.

The answer to "how long it takes Greg Sheridan to catch on" is that he seems to have finally noticed last weekend 2019-06-01.

Here is the second last paragraph of a long and tedious article "It's up to Boris now that so much has been left to so few" on p12 of "The Weekend Australian"

Although Conservatives hate the idea of a second referendum, there are two reasons they might implement it. One, they could stay in government while it was held. And two, they could ensure a fair question was put, between a no-deal Brexit and staying in the EU (as opposed to a May-like deal or staying in the EU, a question the British establishment could use to thwart Brexit). This may be the only way to gain legitimacy for the tough decision ahead. Both sides have convinced themselves the opposing view is illegitimate and the prospect of this polarisation going on and on and on is real.

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There is of course another reason – that they never had any other realistic option and have now exhausted all other alternatives in order to convince their most stupid supporters of this obvious fact.

As one of their most stupid supporters Sheridan appears to have finally got the message after proclaiming for month after month that the opposing view was illegitimate by joining in the bizarre chorus that holding a second referendum would be an outrage against democracy.

Nevertheless Sheridan now agrees with what I have been saying for THREE YEARS. Since he is so reliably wrong I do have to wonder whether I might be making a mistake.

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This article was first published on C21st Left.



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About the Author

Arthur Dent (formerly Albert Langer) is a left-wing political activist and an occasional contributor to the C21st Left blog.

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All articles by Arthur Dent

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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