“That was not made clear, in the 'Leave' message. In fact we were repeatedly told ''we will be able to negotiate our own terms of leaving'' which was an outright lie, (along with the £350 million to the NHS) For that reason alone there should be another referendum.”
If every vote held was declared void on the basis that the electorate was misled by politicians, Eddie, no vote would ever stand. But to examine your specifics (which I think I’ve already done at least once, but no matter) there will be negotiation on the terms of our future relationship. They won’t be fully our terms; they won’t be fully the EU’s terms; they will be negotiated terms. What won’t happen – and I don’t believe anybody said that it would – is for the EU to say “that’s it, take it or leave it” or for us to say “that’s what we want and that’s what we’re having”. As I have repeatedly said it is in nobody’s interests to do otherwise. The “£350m” claim was never, as far as I can see, made in so many words.
The vast majority of people who voted to leave were not influenced by the campaign and the threats or promises made by either side. Most “Leavers” made their decision on the basis of what they had seen and the changes that were needed but which were constantly refused. I made my decision in 1992 when the country was refused a vote before the EU was formed. My position only strengthened over the years. Nothing, but nothing which either side said would have persuaded me to change my mind and the campaign was a waste of time as far as I was concerned. Far from being misled by it, I simply ignored it when it came to making my own decision.
I can understand the feelings of some of the young people who feel so betrayed. Most of the younger ones have spent their lives believing the world revolves around them and their needs. Not getting what they want is something they rarely have to face. Usually a bit of feet stomping and tantrums produces the desired results. It may have helped their cause a little, of course, had a few more of them pitched up to vote. If the estimates are to be believed only about one in three of under 35’s voted compared to 72% overall.
You must get a grip. There is no justification for or possibility of a second referendum and it is absolutely pointless to suggest that there should be. All that has changed since last Thursday is the result has been announced. Remembering back to the campaign and some of your posts, so convinced were you of a Remain vote that, like many politicians, you simply could not consider the possibility that the Leavers would prevail. Mikey444 was probably among the most vociferous and ardent Remainers on AB. He is obviously disappointed but he has graciously accepted the result. I do wish you’d do the same.