Where do we go from here?

I am very disappointed by the result of the referendum. My initial reaction was one of panic, real heart-racing panic, that in time turned to anger and frustration, then sadness. Yesterday was an emotional roller coaster. Some will have shared my experience, others the opposite reaction; and still others would have been less emotionally affected.

Initial reactions are what they are, the important question for us all is where now?

One reality that is patently clear in the aftermath of the referendum is that the UK is a divided nation. 51.9% to 48.1% is not a resounding mandate to LEAVE nor would the opposite have been a clear mandate to REMAIN.

The public proponents of LEAVE would have us believe that their reasons for leaving were THE reasons for leaving. In the coming months we will undoubtedly see these public figures attempt (and perhaps succeed) to negotiate a new relationship with the EU on the basis of a majority backing for their reasons for leaving.

The stark reality is that we do not know why those each other voted as we did, nor why 27.8% did not vote at all.

There are a large range of issues relating to the EU, democracy trusts that before voting each person made an informed and considered judgement on the basis of the pros weighed against the inevitable cons of such a course. To believe any different is to question the validity of democracy. We have to trust that those unwilling to consider seriously would have the maturity to abstain.

It is patently obvious that not everyone who voted LEAVE agrees, nor those who voted REMAIN. The judgement call was not as binary as the ballot paper.

So we now need a really honest national conversation, not just a chance to rant, much more important is a chance to really listen to those who disagree with us. This conversation can only happen if we are all willing to be challenged in our current view, and willing to change our minds on the basis of what we hear. 

Voting is simply one aspect of the democratic process; binary votes are always divisive unless they are accompanied by a process of discussion, both speaking and listening. This discussion should have happen before the vote; but it is now imperative that we decide together what kind of new relationship we want with the EU. What the election campaign made clear is that we cannot trust our political leaders nor our media to constructively facilitate such a process; nor can we leave it to social media (like this blog) where like often groups with like.

On both sides of this issue we need to make this reconciliation happen locally.

Perhaps Farage and Johnson are right in this respect; it is time for us to take back the power to make our own decisions. That means realising that there is a long process of consensus building ahead of us. It will involve sacrifice and humility, such is the responsibility of democracy.