GG. wrote: Wed Jan 30, 2019 3:38 pm
He isn't saying that a second ref is the only option compliant with the constitution is he? He's saying that's his preferred outcome from a policy rather than constitutional law perspective. I was referencing his opinion on a point of law. DAG for example is not often legally wrong, but I disagree with a lot of his political positions.
Other than stating his proclaimed liberalism, he doesn't comment on politics so I don't know which political positions you're referring to. When we were at university he was a proper Tory boy and he's certainly no fan of them now. Anyway, as we all know the whole leave/remain argument is not a party political divide so I think this is an unnecessary diversion.
I don't think a further referendum is a good idea; I didn't think the first was a good idea but we had it, so we are where we are. If there were to be a further referendum how would that actually help Parliament and the Government? What if the outcome were 'remain', if that were even an option? What if the outcome were 'no deal'? It might be perceived to hasten the act of leaving (well, it wouldn't, obviously, since we're currently leaving in under 2 months and a further referendum would delay that) but it wouldn't do anything to prepare us. If the outcome were to leave with a deal, what deal? The Withdrawal Agreement which Parliament has already rejected by a massive majority? Some unknown fudged variation of it? Still the same argument as to whether people knew what they were voting for. A referendum is not the outcome; you don't hold one expecting a particular result, and you need to prepare for every possibility.
Really the only purpose of a further referendum is to ask the original question again to check whether people really want to leave now. Politically that would be suicidal (I know it's not a party political question but sadly the whole shebang is run by politicians). So I can't see it happening.