The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #164605   Message #3971100
Posted By: Nigel Parsons
11-Jan-19 - 11:14 AM
Thread Name: Brexit #2
Subject: RE: Brexit #2
Those brexiteers who are attacking John Bercow...wassup with them! The amendment was carried, even though they thought it shouldn't have been brought. So why can't they just accept the will of the 308/650 people? After all, I've been told to accept the will of the 38% (a far weaker percentage) of the people, even though I think the vote should never have been called - and told to accept it, what's more, by the self-same buggers who are attacking the Speaker!

Yes, 38% of the electorate is less than 47.3% of the available electorate of the House of Commons.
But as with the referendum, when you look at the percentage of those who actually voted, you will find the vote was even closer than the referendum result. 51% to 49%.

Parliamentary votes are never decided on a basis of what percentage was scored against a possible 100% turnout, but as a percentage of those actually voting. And all that is required is a majority. The majority, in this case, supported Dominic Greives' amendment.

Any complaints about the Speaker's actions relate to whether the matter should, legitimately, have been before the Commons.
The referendum was brought forward legally, with the prior agreement of the House of Commons. A totally different proposition.