Campaign gets under way demanding a national debate on reversing Brexit
Leading figures from across Scottish civil society are demanding a halt to and a reversal of Brexit.
They say it is “always possible to think again and to choose a different direction”, claiming the narrowly carried decision to leave the European Union is undermining society, the economy and politics.
In an open letter, they call for a national debate on ending Brexit – before it is too late and any damage done is irreparable.
The signatories, more than 60 of them, come from across Scottish society and include leading figures in the arts, the media, business and politics.
Among those who have signed the letter are Grahame Smith, general secretary of the STUC, Dr Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland and Martin Sime, chief executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.
The letter states: “We come from a broad range of sectors across our society – business, education, law, politics, public services, unions, NGOs and more.
We see our society, economy and politics becoming ever more undermined due to the impact of Brexit.
“We recognise that a narrow majority voted to leave the European Union, but the disastrous consequences are now becoming ever clearer – every day. Even before the UK has left the EU, we face falling living standards, rising inflation, slowing growth and lower productivity.
“Our international reputation has been seriously damaged, leaving the UK weak, with diminished influence, in an increasingly uncertain and unstable world.
“EU citizens who have made a huge social and economic contribution to our society have been left in profound uncertainty – many have already left, many more are considering leaving. UK citizens elsewhere in the EU are in an unacceptable limbo too.
“In a democracy, it is always possible to think again and to choose a different direction. We need to think again about Brexit, to have a UK-wide debate about calling a halt to the process and changing our minds.
“The UK has been a major and influential actor in Europe and can be again. We need to have a debate about how to build a better, fairer, more equal society. Then we will be in a position to contribute to an EU-wide debate on creating a fairer, more equal Europe.
“We call for a national debate on Brexit. We ask our fellow citizens, and our politicians, to think again. It is time to call a halt to Brexit.”
A change.org petition has also launched to encourage people to sign-up across the UK to halt Brexit.
What do you think? Should – or even can – we halt Brexit – or have the people spoken and that’s the final word? Get the debate going by leaving a comment below.
