Dangerous Political Games

AFP photo

By

Hazel Speed

Prior to the Brexit Referendum itself, announced by the then Prime Minister (Mr Cameron), neither he, The Speaker nor the scribes or legal Members in Parliament (either Houses); nor the months of campaigning leading up to the vote gave mention, nor challenge in respect of any irregularities as to possible improprieties or usurping of the Sovereignty of the UK Parliament.

Mr Cameron obviously took the view, and no doubt advice from the great and the good before he announced the Referendum in the first place.

Once the result of the vote was known, and post Mr Cameron’s resignation and internal Conservative election of Mrs May to be his successor as The Prime Minister, things progressed until the legal challenge by Gina Miller that Constitutionally (via High Court then the Supreme Court ruling), Mrs May could not continue with the registration of Article 50 directly submitted to the European Union without the matter first being debated, and a White Paper presented to the House of Commons, discussed, voted upon, then in turn similarly approved by the House of Lords as the UK Parliament has supreme Sovereignty.

As we know, the whole process was like ‘pulling teeth’. Some dispute the necessity of the entire paradoxical exercise, especially given that:

1. In 1972 when Britons voted to join the then named ‘Common Market’ none of the above (at least to my recollection) was discussed, disputed or went through historically equivalent testings, as if so, there would then have been a precedent for the present Brexit procedures.

2. Also, traditionally, voting was not referred to within distinct geographical areas (such as Scotland), and those who had voted not to join, accepted they had lost, did not moan but just carried on with their lives.

3. Supremacy of Sovereignty of the UK Parliament (by Gina Miller’s claims via which she won her legal case) infers UK Parliament had supremacy where in actuality, the Great Repeal Bill infers otherwise. It seems a bit backwards, therefore, to claim UK Sovereignty about presenting Article 50 and only thereafter to submit the Great Repeal Bill to claim the same thing back?

Some nifty political dancing obviously took place when we were all blinking, as I cannot recall selling our Parliamentary soul/Sovereignty in previous decades or the people being so asked, nor debates in the same way in Parliament. Therefore one Prime Minister or another must have passed things through on the nod as they say, perhaps a rose by another name.

Now, Gina Miller wishes to scupper Bexit to be in line with her take on things, and recommend tactical voting. Ever the one for democracy then. Perhaps someone will challenge her in the Supreme Court.

One interviewer asked her why she did not stand for Parliament herself, but she replied that so many people and other projects demanded her time right now.

Next dangerous game

Let us hope there is no truth in this but some headlines are now inferring that Mrs May could be thinking of leaving the EU with them retaining some Sovereign powers over the UK.

If that is true, after all her statements saying the UK must be in charge of its own Laws, borders, etc, and have its own Sovereignty, then people may have decided enough is enough, and not vote for anyone, ever again.

The Prime Minister may be back-tracking, as otherwise, some are saying, she could lose votes. Cheaper to lose a soul?

She said herself that ‘Brexit means Brexit’ and make no mistake ‘we are leaving Europe’. If this is another dangerous political game then the consequences will be dire and many still say those who voted collectively to Leave will take to marching on the streets. A half in-half out of Europe, is not what the majority of people voted for. She is finished politically if The Prime Minister does less than she has promised.

Boris Johnson. Is he also playing games?

In a recent interview he inferred that if President Trump seeks help from of the UK regarding military assistance over Syria, it would be difficult to refuse and could be agreed without the need to either consult/have the approval of Parliament.

Is that because Parliament will not be sitting until after the General Election on 8th June and/or the Executive Powers of The Prime Minister are paramount whether Parliament is sitting or not?

Then also, what is going on in the situation with North Korea?

The black humour in all this is that the EU itself have now stated that the UK will not be able to have anything like the options some are hoping for, in that any deal with the EU cannot be the same as Member Countries nor better.

All these political games are dangerous – they neglect the most important element in all these issues – real people will be affected by what everyone says, does or does not do – so please do not continue to play these dangerous political games, as so many lives are dependent on you all.

Hazel Speed

Photo (c) Hazel Speed – used by kind permision to Tuck Magazine

Hazel Speed is a Philosopher, Writer, and Artist with various creative projects at differing stages of development. Her flaship project is an animation which has produced a film short: www.thepinkprofessor.com. She has also written an E-novel, ‘Just Suppose…!‘ which is available via the attached link.

Art sites: www.candystoreart.com, www.terrificart.com, www.artbadges.co.uk.