Populism, democracy and the parliamentary battle over Brexit
Mar 21, 2023
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In this podcast, Rafael Behr speaks with Meg Russell about their new book on the parliamentary battle over Brexit. They discuss the stress and trauma experienced during the Brexit period, the tension between party lines and individual conscience, and the impact of Brexit on politics and governance. They also explore the negative influence of 'the will of the people,' Theresa May's risky choices, Boris Johnson's deceptive behavior, and the lessons learned from Brexit.
The Brexit referendum highlighted the challenges and dangers of using referendums to make complex decisions, exposing flaws in how they are handled in relation to parliamentary democracy.
The legacy of Brexit has deeply impacted British politics, transforming attitudes towards Parliament and influencing the way issues like immigration are presented and debated.
The decision-making process during Brexit became highly polarized, lacked consultation with the public, and resulted in a populist conception of politics, disregarding trade-offs and compromise.
Deep dives
The Complexity and Confusion of Brexit
Brexit was a period marked by constant crisis and suffocating stasis. The referendum result to leave the EU handed British politicians an instruction with no clear plan on how to execute it. This led to a political, constitutional, and institutional crisis for Parliament. The lack of consensus, an indecisive election, and under-equipped party leaders created a tumultuous environment within the House of Commons. The result was a mother of battles that pushed British democracy to the brink and strained the foundations of parliamentary democracy.
The Role of Referendums and Parliamentary Democracy
The Brexit referendum highlighted the challenges and dangers of using referendums to make complex decisions. The lack of preparation, unclear options, and oversimplified messages created misconceptions and myths surrounding Parliament's role in the Brexit process. The Burkeyan dilemma faced by MPs, torn between representing their constituents and exercising independent judgment, further complicated the parliamentary dynamics. The clash between direct democracy and representative democracy exposed flaws in how referendums are handled in relation to parliamentary democracy.
Legacy and Impact on British Politics
The legacy of Brexit has deeply impacted British politics, with Brexitism becoming ingrained in the DNA of the Conservative Party. The attitudes towards Parliament have been transformed, with a sense of mistrust and a desire to circumvent parliamentary processes seen in subsequent political debates. The experience of Brexit has influenced the way issues like immigration are presented and debated, with arguments about what the people want and the duty of MPs shaped by the divisive and complex Brexit process.
The Complexity of Decision Making and Divisions Within Parties
The podcast highlights the complexity of decision making in relation to Brexit. It discusses how party lines, individual conscience, and constituency pressures create a tripartite tension that MPs must navigate. This tension is further exacerbated by the divide between leavers and remainers. MPs find themselves in a dilemma as they try to balance representing their constituents' wishes with party loyalty. The podcast emphasizes that the decision-making process became highly polarized and lacked consultation with the public, leading to a populist conception of politics and a disregard for trade-offs and compromise.
The Character of Theresa May and the Failures of Leadership
The podcast delves into the character of Theresa May and how it influenced the Brexit process. It highlights May's deep-rooted conservatism and her belief in party unity. However, her rigid and tribal approach proved ineffective in handling the complexities and divisions caused by Brexit. May's inclination to blame Parliament rather than her own party's rebels further fueled polarization. Her failure to anticipate the lack of support for her deal and her inability to pivot during crucial moments weakened her position. The podcast also discusses how May's appointment of Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary backfired and contributed to the politicization and polarization of views.
Rafael Behr talks to Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution Unit and co-author, along with Research Fellow Lisa James, of a new book called: The Parliamentary Battle over Brexit, a detailed account of the extraordinary way the Brexit process played out in parliament.
Since the 2016 referendum, the hotly contested issue of Brexit has raised fundamental questions about the workings of British democracy. Nowhere was this more true than regarding the role of parliament. This book addresses important questions about parliament's role in the UK constitution, and the impact on this of the Brexit process. While initially intended to re-establish 'parliamentary sovereignty', Brexit wrought significant damage on the reputation of parliament, and the wider culture of UK democracy.
This book is published as part of the ‘Brexit, Parliament and the Constitution’ project, funded through Constitution Unit Director Meg Russell's Senior Fellowship with the ESRC-funded UK in a Changing Europe (UKICE) programme.
For more about the book (and a 30% discount code) see this link:
