Democracy. Now I Get It!

Over the years I have tended to have a fairly jaded view of how democracy works. Or doesn’t.

I am all for the theory, everyone has an equal say, it’s just when it is put into practice that the clarity seems to get a little blurred.

Majority rule, proportional representation, first past the post. Each one has its own limitations, and restrictions on the fundamental.

However, I have had a eureka moment.

Having listened to the endless comments and commentaries on the post Brexit referendum negotiations, and more specifically those particular members of the great and good who pushed so hard for the result they have got, I finally understand how it works.

First step, we had a referendum – not an election, but that is another quagmire –  and the result was in favour of leaving the EU. Not by much, but we work on the rule of the majority.

Therefore, the democratic result, where more people said leave than said remain, is clear.

So far, so good.

And that was were things got a little confusing for me, because what I hadn’t realised was that the definition of democracy changes from pre to post Brexit vote.

Now I understand that, I now can grasp why those vociferous Brexiteers are so angry, suspicious, accusatory, derogatory – and many other ….tory words – about the negotiation process.

It seems that the EU negotiating team are not cooperating. They are not agreeing to all our demands. Even though it wasn’t their idea.

What they don’t grasp is that now, having had the referendum decision, the principle of democracy is reversed, and 1 now trumps 27.

The sooner they catch up with me, and understand how democracy – you know, the reason we wanted to leave the EU because it wasn’t democratic – actually works, the sooner this whole mess will be cleared up.

Can’t see the problem.

I get it, why can’t they?