If there was a general election tomorrow….

[Deleted member 265726]

There was a referendum in 1975.

I wasn't alive.

 

[fillyboy]

There was a referendum in 1975.

That was to join the common market. The public didn't get a vote on the Maastricht and other treaties.

 

[MNW67]

That was to join the common market. The public didn't get a vote on the Maastricht and other treaties.

I had actually realised that and had edited my post. But you beat me to it!

 

[MNW67]

I wasn't alive.

Also I edited my post to discuss Maastricht.

 

[fillyboy]

That was to join the common market. The public didn't get a vote on the Maastricht and other treaties.

Amendment: the referendum was to remain in the common market, we joined in 1973.

 

[denso13]

Presumably you are referring to Maastricht when the EC became the EU?

Governments are elected to act on our behalf. A referendum on every decision is unworkable.

 

[Deleted member 265726]

I wasn't alive.

But this is part of my larger point... what a generation decides decades before, should not be set in stone for generations after. I don't agree with having another referendum now but in 20 years time, perhaps it could be looked at seriously again. The system seems to grind on stone wheels rather than being responsive.

 

[MNW67]

But this is part of my larger point... what a generation decides decades before, should not be set in stone for generations after. I don't agree with having another referendum now but in 20 years time, perhaps it could be looked at seriously again. The system seems to grind on stone wheels rather than being responsive.

Does it also depend on public opinion? Say we reach a point where 75% of people want to re-join the EU?

 

[Deleted member 265726]

Does it also depend on public opinion? Say we reach a point where 75% of people want to re-join the EU?

In 20 years time? Yes, why not. Those born around the time of the last referendum will be adults by this time and the driving force of the economy, why shouldn't they have a vote?

 

[Notch7]

The public didn't get a vote on the Maastricht and other treaties.

Yes they did.

The British public voted for John Major in 1992, knowing he was a Europhile and would sign the Maastricht treaty in 1993.

 

[MNW67]

In 20 years time? Yes, why not. Those born around the time of the last referendum will be adults by this time and the driving force of the economy, why shouldn't they have a vote?

But what if it happens much sooner than that?

 

[Notch7]

But this is part of my larger point... what a generation decides decades before, should not be set in stone for generations after. I don't agree with having another referendum now but in 20 years time, perhaps it could be looked at seriously again. The system seems to grind on stone wheels rather than being responsive.

So you support Brexit.

There’s a surprise

 

[Notch7]

But what if it happens much sooner than that?

He will have a hissy fit

 

[Deleted member 265726]

But what if it happens much sooner than that?

If we have another referendum on the EU, when?

 

[MNW67]

If we have another referendum on the EU, when?

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I am asking if there were consistent polls showing that a large majority of the UK wants to re-join, and this happens well before your twenty year timescale, would another referendum make sense at that time.