Why a public inquiry into Brexit is a good idea, not just for pro-Europeans but for everyone
This week, a three-hour debate was held in parliament on the idea of an inquiry into the impact of Britain leaving the European Union. It had been triggered by a petition which garnered over 100,000 signatures. As it happens, I’m top of the list when it comes to the idea of petitions triggering debates in parliament being a waste of time. They have always struck me as token, one of those things a government does to chuck one to the plebs without anything actually changing. For example, there have been six petitions that received over I million signatures in our history - the end result of all of them was absolutely nothing. No change whatsoever.
Having said that, the debate this week on a Brexit inquiry was a lively one and it reminded the country, once again, that the idea that Brexit is some buried part of history already is nonsense. People still care about the issue of our relationship with Europe and will continue to care, mostly because we will be involved in on and off negotiations with the EU until the day we rejoin. Also, the downsides of Brexit continue to make themselves more and more clear.
I think a Brexit inquiry should be welcomed, not just by Rejoiners but by Brexiters as well. There is a lot of conjecture thrown around about the impact of Brexit on the UK’s economy, so knowing the facts and establishing them should be something of value to everyone in the country. There is great confusion about what parts of our ailing economy are down to Covid, Ukraine or Brexit. Given we’re still fighting about it, why not at least try and come up with some impartial facts?
An inquiry into Brexit will be unlikely to happen any time soon. One, because the Brexiters feel like they’ve won the argument - looking at the polls on the subject, it’s clear they have not - and so they are loath to do anything that even seems like it’s opening up the question of our EU membership again. Two, no one believes anything is impartial these days, even if it’s done in the most painstakingly impartial way imaginable. If things go your team’s way, then it was fair and down the line; if they don’t, there was clearly a conspiracy against your side. Either the Russians or the wokerati or someone else wicked was pulling the strings to make sure your team was screwed over. That’s just the timbre of the age in which we live.
I still think a Brexit inquiry is a good idea in spite of this for the following reasons. One is that, as already mentioned, it would at least attempt to detail the downsides of Brexit so that it would settle some arguments on the matter. That alone is worth something, however people respond to the outcome. Two, there is a lack of catharsis about the whole Brexit project that should worry Brexiters deeply in terms of the future of their project. If they want to act like everyone’s mind is settled on the topic, fine, but as we know from history, this can come back and bite you on the ass. If Brexit continues to dwindle in popularity, it will someday be reversed. I think the Brexiters need to come to terms with that now.
I mean, I have to ask: if you think Brexit was a great idea, then surely you’re also convinced it will stand up to scrutiny by any inquiry? In fact, it might put to bed some of the doubts the public still have about the project - that is, if Brexit really is any good. If you are desperate to avoid this kind of investigation, it makes one wonder why you are still so passionate in your support for Brexit.
So, yes, #Brexitinquiry. Let’s make it happen.
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I don't disagree except that there are strong arguments for some Brexiters avoiding an inquiry.
Those who, if they were objective, would realise that it's been a disaster but who personally profit from it, have every reason not to want anything clarified. I include not just those who've benefitted financially, but in terms of their world view. If you want a never-ending culture war against migrants then the last thing you want is this being settled if you think, even subconsciously, that there's a chance that facts would change things.
Then there are those who are relatively apolitical but who felt and may still feel a strong gut instinct that Brexit was right. People like uncomfortable evidence a lot less than they think they do (regardless of one's politics). So again, these people will want to defend themselves from being presented with evidence that will challenge their belief that they were right. And if you're someone who values being right above the wider good of the economy, then there is logic to this position.
While 'technocratic' Brexiters ought to want to scrutinise Brexit to enable it to bed in and gain widespread acceptance (after identifying and fixing at least some of the downsides), an inquiry does indeed make sense.
But if you're scared of what scrutiny might reveal, if you've always been someone who doesn't mind the downsides and wants to protect Brexit no matter the cost, then you do have a strong and rational incentive to prevent impartial facts from becoming widely known!
Both main parties oppose an inquiry so it won't happen. Another good reason to not vote for either of them.