Simon Bishop: 5 reasons why I am a Passionate Remainer and think we need a People's Vote or General Election
Firstly, the very existence of our United Kingdom is at stake. With Boris Johnson treating Northern Ireland differently to the rest of us, it increases the calls for Independence for Scotland. If they are faced by remaining in a United Kingdom or a United Europe, they could well leave. That wasn't on the referendum ballot paper.
Secondly, we're meddling with the Northern Irish peace process. I remember the fear of the struggles about a divided Ireland. After 20+ years of peace, we can't risk that again. That wasn't on the referendum ballot paper either.
Thirdly, we're all going to be poorer under Boris's deal by £2,250 based on the government's own figures (and much more with no deal). Compared to our fellow Europeans we're ALREADY 20% poorer because of the value of the pound plummeting in the wake of the 2016 Referendum. No one from Leave promised us that. Few voted to be poorer than they were.
Fourthly, we're going to contribute to making climate change worse not better. Importing goods from the likes of Argentina and Indonesia rather than from our own European doorstep simply can't be better for our environment.
And finally, the lives of the residents of Folkestone and Hythe will get worse not better. Lorry parks will jam up the M20, M26 and A20 - they've already started. Medical supplies will be constricted and delayed. Jobs lost as companies fold and trade goes elsewhere instead of flowing through Dover and the Channel Tunnel.
In 2016, people voted for departure but not the destination. There was no choice offered between a specific deal or hard Brexit. So after three and a half years, we can now sort of see the deal on offer, and the choices we face. Real democracy would give people a final say on the deal on offer through a People's Vote or General Election.