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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI find it surprising that something as serious as Brexit was decided by a simple majority
I can't say I know much about the UK's referendum process, but it seems that a change with such massive consequences should have been subject to winning a supermajority of votes in each region of the UK. Anyone know and can explain why it was done this way?
There are times when I wish the bar weren't quite so high to amend our federal Constitution. Events like this make me realize that on balance, we are better off maintaining that high bar. Changes to the fabric of one's country should not be made on the whims of a simple majority at any given moment in time, even if it means that progress can be very slow.
mainer
(12,022 posts)Or anything that threatens conservative white men?
Maven
(10,533 posts)We've seen all too recently what happens when gay and trans rights are left to a simple majority in conservative states. It's ugly.
procon
(15,805 posts)We're supposedly one of the most liberal states in the nation, yet a majority of voters passed a ballot initiative to ban gay marriage ban and add that special bigotry to the California state constitutional. It took a court ruling to say that Proposition 8 was unconstitutional.
Native
(5,940 posts)This is totally mind boggling to me. I've questioned it in a couple of other Brexit posts too.
TeddyR
(2,493 posts)Considering the measure passed by something like 4%.
One thing I will say is that while this only took a simply majority to pass I find it impressive that turnout was so massive.
RAFisher
(466 posts)They won pretty big in 2015 and this was something they campaigned on; having a vote to leave the EU. The referendum is non-binding but would be political suicide to oppose. Other Brexit opposition MPs pointed out that Cameron could have set the rules differently. It could have been a super majority. Or it could have needed all four countries to vote in favor of Brexit. Only Wales and England voted to leave. Northern Ireland and Scotland voted to stay.
Renew Deal
(81,855 posts)former9thward
(31,981 posts)There was never even a referendum to join. Are you ok with that?
treestar
(82,383 posts)so it took a large will of a supermajority to make major changes. It is frustrating when we want to see progress, such as in health care, but maybe it has its good side too, as you've pointed out.