Yep. Here's another fine mess you've gotten us into, Mr Cameron. What a mess, in fact. The Un-united Kingdom. Throw the England football team in there as well and we are probably an absolute laughing stock at the moment. Could that be Woy and Dave sitting there in the Dunce's caps? Well it should be.
But let's look at Brexit. For me, one big, massive plus was that it proved we actually live in a democracy. The people have spoken. On the morning of the result, Cameron resigned almost as fast as Hodgson, both with clearly pre-prepared speeches (Who knew?) and this sparked speculation of an imminent General Election. The Tories were in turmoil. Step forward Jeremy Corbyn, a man who has split the Labour Party in the same way as Brexit split the country, and within two days Labour had imploded leaving Corbyn to find a new shadow cabinet. Another fine mess.
It was a close vote. A very close vote, in fact. When you bear in mind that London was a Remain stronghold and on the actual day of the referendum there was severe flooding around parts of the Capital, it may have even been that different weather may have produced a different result.
A country's entire economic and political future surely cannot be irreversibly decided on something so fragile.
The vitriol from some Remainers post-result has been massively disappointing and has resulted in equal and retaliatory abuse from Leavers. "Stop moaning because you lost", they say, "the people have spoken. Let's all be friends now and move on." Yeah, right. Because that is exactly what would have happened if Remain had won, wouldn't it? The Leavers were noisier in the lead up to the vote and therefore it's reasonable to assume that they would be just as noisy if it had gone the other way. About 2-3 weeks ago, Nigel Farage even said that a vote of 52-48 would classify as "Unfinished business" and on that single point, he is absolutely right. It is almost a split decision.
On social media, there has recently been a gush of pictures and videos relating to the 100th anniversary of the Somme and how we must never forget the people who lay down their lives for Britain in both world wars. And so we shouldn't. Among my circle, it would appear to be the Leavers who are most passionate about this issue. It is certainly true that, in voting Leave, the elderly did not steal the future from the younger generation, but in fact gave it to them by overcoming the enemy in 1918 and 1945. But bearing in mind that the foe in World War II was Nazi Germany, am I the only one who sees the irony in the fact that the Leave victory has given a platform for the far right in this country to spout their messages of hate? Many of my friends voted Leave and I consider none of them racist. What concerns me is that anyone who is a racist may now think the rest of the country is with them! This is something that we should all unite to stamp out. It has no place in the modern world.
I am also appalled at the lies and exaggeration from both camps. Yes, yes, I know politicians lie, it's part of their job, but just within my friends and family circle I am aware of people who have voted Leave because
A) They thought that it would stop immigration from places outside Europe,
B) They thought it cost £350m a week to be in Europe and if we left then all of that money would be put into the NHS, and
C) They don't like George Osborne.
I also am aware of people who voted Remain because
A) They thought they would not be able to go to Europe any more,
B) They can't stand Nigel Farage,
C) They thought voting Leave would label them as a racist.
None of the above reasons have any basis for a proper informed vote and I also know some people who didn't vote because they didn't have enough information to make a decision. I was very nearly one of them.
So, what are the options now?
This is when we need real information, not lies and propaganda. There is no longer the need to win a vote, so now let's have - as far as we can - proper and factual information, like for instance -
Is the referendum legally binding or is it, in fact, just a huge opinion poll?
Do we have to repeal the 1972 European Community Act before Article 50 can be invoked?
Can Europe kick us out regardless?
What will happen to the European immigrants already living and working in the UK?
As the Republic of Ireland is a member state, does this mean our borders have to stay open for free movement of labour if we want to have access to the single market in any way, shape or form? (In other words, even if we leave, the immigration issue will not change).
How much does it actually cost us to be in Europe (this must be a matter of fact rather than opinion; it's a maths thing and the Treasury must have the figures).
Are we going to actually be able to negotiate new trade deals with the EU during our exit or do we have to wait until that has been finalised before starting?
Will Scotland be allowed a second referendum and what effect will that have if they leave the UK and stay in the EU?
Pretty much everything else is conjecture, but the above is the absolute minimum that we are entitled to know.
Will we have a second referendum? Who knows. But even without the above, how we reunite this divided Union is a conundrum that will test the very, very best of men. Perhaps tackling racism would be a start. Find some common ground that the majority agree with and work from there.
However, there doesn't appear to be anyone in line to pick up the baton.
Frankly, I'm scared.
