Project Fear versus Project Unicorn. What Now?

Inflation up since Brexit vote

Last year we had a referendum between 'Project Fear' for Remain and 'Project Unicorn' for Leave.  Lies, half-truths and general forecasts on both sides.  The result reflected what enough people believed and hoped, both in their head and their heart.

Fifteen months on we have 'Project Reality' that's showing a very different picture.  Forecasts on both sides haven't turned out to be correct, Do we need a new vote to confirm that people want to continue with Brexit, or otherwise stop it?

• Negotiations with the EU are not going quickly and easily as Leave supporters suggested. The UK does not hold all the cards. In particular the German car industry has again just confirmed that keeping the EU27 together is more important than their UK export market.  That means no special treatment for the UK.
• Sterling has devalued 15-20% against major currencies in which the UK's imports of food, clothes and other products are purchased.  The result is general inflation now running at 2.9%, but food in the shops showing 10%-15% increase or more on many imported products.
• Some investment into the UK.  But an increasing list of companies like Chubb and many in financial services planning to move their operations to continental Europe or Eire.  That's jobs lost.
• Concern about collaborations like EURATOM and Open Skies that are non-political, and don't need the UK to have MEPs
• Jobless figures improving but average earnings dropping. Coupled with rising inflation, that's squeezing the disposable income of most households in Britain.  That spells trouble.  Strikes in prisons and binmen in Birmingham may just be the start.

Most of these issues can be reversed by remaining in the EU, or at least remaining in the Single Market and Customs Union for economic purposes.
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So what do the people of Britain think now?  The referendum last year should be respected but was marginal and only a 'starting gun'.  What about those people in Labour heartlands who voted Leave in the hope of economic improvement, but are seeing their personal financial position getting worse?

It is clear we need another vote before proceeding any further with Brexit, by next Spring 2018 latest.  Voting on the final deal in 2019 is too late.  Businesses will have already pressed contingency plan buttons, and there will be no time for businesses and government departments to change their systems and processes.

So how to achieve a new vote?  It needs political change.  Every government aims for growth in the economy and more jobs.  This government is risking both. The best forecasters are expecting an economic hit.  Less tax receipts, more squeeze on the NHS and other public services.

So here's an invitation to MPs on all sides who understand the risks the UK is taking to join forces to take a more pragmatic approach to the UK's future in the various pan-European initiatives.