Unity or division, Britain looks forward to a rocky two years

FOLLOWING the formal delivery of Britain’s decision to exit the European Union, Prime Minister May spoke to the country calling for unity now that the decision has been finally made to leave.

She could well have been reflecting on Margaret Thatcher’s words when she quoted St. Francis of Assisi in 1979 saying “Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope.”

Thatcher’s period of political domination caused many rifts in British society polarising many to her cause but equally managing to build up a sufficiently anti feeling which allowed for the rejection of the Conservative Party and the rise to power of Tony Blair.

Despite the call for unity and the somewhat condescending comments of Brexiteers for those who oppose the decision to keep quiet, the fact remains that 48 per cent of those who voted wanted Britain to remain and in a democratic society whilst the majority decision will prevail those who are opposed are entitled to make their feelings known.

If you believe that the decision was the right one to make, then you voted in favour but if you voted against, you are not going to suddenly change your mind over something that you considered to be life changing.

A new petition has been started on www.change.org which basically tells Mrs May that she has made a mistake in signing on behalf of just 52 per cent of the voters.

It won’t make any difference, but it is very likely that the decision of the referendum – which is quite rightly being followed through – is going to divide the country and cause a huge amount of ongoing disagreement over the next two years, at which time it might become clear whether the exit was a good or bad move for the UK.

In the meantime, the Scottish Parliament continues to move forward to formally request a new Independence Referendum, there is almost certainly going to be a reinstatement of direct rule in Northern Island and Gibraltar will continue to buzz around trying to gain some support from someone against perceived Spanish future aggression.