Brexit: not the will of the people – my 2017 post summarised by AI

People are still claiming that the 2016 EU referendum demonstrated ‘the will of the people’. Meanwhile, not a single person has ever challenged my 2017 post claiming that this is simply not true – perhaps because it was too long. So I have just used the AI feature of the ideas-modelling application TheBrain to produce what I hope will be a helpful summary. Here it is, exactly as generated:

Britain’s Exit from the EU

The article argues that Britain’s decision to leave the EU, often cited as “the will of the people,” is based on a false premise. It outlines several reasons why the 2016 referendum result should be questioned:

• Misleading Campaigns: The Leave campaign allegedly used lies, incited xenophobia, and dismissed expert opinions.
• Public Misunderstanding: Many voters were unaware of the EU’s complexities and implications.
• Subsequent Developments: Changes in the global political landscape, such as Trump’s election, have altered the context.
• Unforeseen Consequences: The Brexit process has not been smooth, with negative impacts on the NHS and economic negotiations.
• Democratic Concerns: Issues like data mining, dark money, and media influence may have skewed the democratic process.
• Electoral Issues: A significant portion of the electorate did not vote for Brexit, and polls suggest a shift towards Remain.

The author expresses concern over the divisive and potentially undemocratic nature of the Brexit process, emphasizing the need for responsible debate and reflection on the broader implications for democracy and society.

Direct link to the original 2017 post to see the arguments in full, and the reactions.