Letter: Would you accept a democratic decision?

This letter sent to the Star was written by Cyril Olsen, Busk Meadow, Sheffield, S5
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The heading of Veronica Hardstaff's Star, August 29, letter "Voting again does not trash our democracy" could not be further from the true position where Bexit is concerned. It is all very well her quoting six past general elections from 1964-2017 and to say that it is not unprecedented to have further votes where the result is close. However, in this specific Brexit instance I respectfully suggest that as a self-confessed admirer of Mary Steele, she should follow her fine example in thoroughly researching her subject before going into print.

The reason for a great deal that was promised/forecast by the leave team during the referendum campaign not materialising to date, is because of the reneging of Leaders and MPs of all parties in parliament on their pledge to honour and implement the result of the 2016 referendum made in the run up to the election. Brexit has not yet taken place or being given the chance to because they have and are continuing to place every obstacle in the way of the withdrawal process, which has now resulted in Boris Johnson having the courage to suspend Parliament to help counter their sabotaging tactics and enable our October 31, Brexit to go ahead with or without a deal. While some forecasts made by the leave team have failed to materialise so far for the reasons quoted - arguably more blame can be placed with the remain team headed by Cameron and Osborne whose forecast of loss of jobs, crashing economy. emergency budget etc have all failed to materialise. On the contrary employment is rising and the economy is in a better state than pre-referendum. Many of their false forecasts being in their authorised £9 million tax payer funded pro- remain propaganda leaflet sent to every household in the country.

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Veronica appears to class the referendum with the six previous general elections she quotes when she says that it is not unprecedented to have further votes when the result is close. She fails to acknowledge that the 2016 EU Referendum was not a general election but a vote given to the people by a large majority of their elected MPs in a parliamentary vote, because they did not feel qualified/able to deal with a constitutional matter of such magnitude on their behalf.

The vote was not taken on a seats won basis but a straight forward majority of individual votes. Whereas in a general election a party can form a government with an overall majority of one - which is truly a small majority - to vote to Leave by a 1.4 million referendum majority is hardly in the same category.

In conclusion, I will again ask Veronica and her remain colleagues a question which she has previously failed to answer. Should a miracle happen, and heaven forbid, a second referendum be held, would you accept the result if the outcome was again to Leave by a majority of any number between 1 and 1.4 million and rising? If voting again does not trash democracy - and with your unquestionably valued political principles - surely you would accept a democratic decision confirming the result of the previous referendum?

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