The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #162855   Message #3916030
Posted By: Nigel Parsons
09-Apr-18 - 04:48 AM
Thread Name: BS: Post Brexit life in the UK
Subject: RE: BS: Post Brexit life in the UK
This is an interesting one. Apparently 82% wanted to stop any US trade if it went against our current food standards. On a survey of 2000 people like this, you would typically have a margin of error of +/- 2%, but let's assume it is way out, and the margin is +/-20% (where possible!) That would still have 62% wanting no deal if the food standards were at risk.

I know Gove and co have said the standards won't be cut, but that's not my question. Nor is it whether chlorine washed chicken is safe or not.

It is whether the Brexiteers support "the will of the people" in this case as well?


"The will of the people" only gets expressed, rarely, in referendums. These have only occurred on matters of great importance constitutionally. It does not include opinion polls. If it did we would probably still have the death penalty on the statute books. Many laws get passed which are against the wishes of the majority, as expressed in opinion polls.

The 'will of the people' could just as easily be described as 'mob rule', except in very carefully considered situations.

So to answer the question, I do not support the will of the people unquestioningly.