There has been a steady argument concerning Britain’s position in Europe wherein the general public was split as to our position as being part of the European Union or not. A referendum was held on Thursday, 23 June 2016, to decide whether the UK should leave or remain in the European Union. Leave won by 51.9% to 48.1%. The referendum turnout was 71.8%, with more than 30 million people voting.
As a result of this, the agreed date for Britain to leave was agreed. In so doing, the UK had to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. From this date, two sides would have two years in which to agree on terms and split. This process was triggered on 29 March 2017 by Theresa May, meaning the UK’s exit date is at
With this date coming ever closer, there has been a concern by both government and the people that we have not arrived at a deal and that maybe leaving may not be such a good deal for the UK.
As a result, yesterday, organisers of the “Put It To The People” organised a march wherein it was estimated that up to one million people marched in central London calling for another EU referendum, before rallying in front of Parliament.
Hundreds and thousands of protesters carried cards, flags and placards calling for any Brexit deal be put to another public vote.
It was reported that occasionally the hordes would erupt into spontaneous cheering, as well as chants of “What do we want? People’s vote. When do we want it? Now!”
On Thursday, European leaders agreed to delay the UK’s departure from the EU. Following this, on Friday, the Prime Minister wrote to all MPs saying she will ditch plans to put the deal to another so-called meaningful vote on her withdrawal deal if not enough MPs support it.
Unless her deal is passed by MPs, the UK will have to come up with an alternative plan or else face leaving the EU without a deal on 12 April.
Such is the impact that it has been reported that a record-breaking four million signatures online the Parliament’s website called for Brexit to be cancelled and to revoke Article 50. A point to note is that this number is also climbing and as the Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said the petition could “give oxygen” to the campaign for another Brexit referendum.Â
The complex position in which we find ourselves is as a result of our decision to leave the EU which has a major impact not just on the country now, but for generations to come.
George Papandreou states that,
“If we had a consensus we wouldn’t have to go to a referendum”
Former European Commission worker Michael Gowen said: “Britain belongs in Europe and has a responsibility to share its immense Christian heritage”.Â
Whether we stay or leave, we still need each other in life and we need a people United rather than divided.
1 Corinthians 12:20-21: “As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’”
Let us pray for wisdom, unity and clarity concerning this complex road called Brexit.