What is the definition of ‘the will of the people’?

Cliff

1997 Welsh devolution referendum - Wikipedia

Welsh devolution referendum.

                                                                               

50% turnout and a narrow win for devolution.

I guess now, we should add those who didn't vote and cancel that one. Unlucky Wales we have to retrospectively cancel your devolution.

1992 French Maastricht Treaty referendum - Wikipedia

                                                                               

Another narrow vote.

We'd better cancel Maastricht. Etc.

Moviebuff

who's fault is that?

Sonic67

Highest turn out seen in recent times. £8 million spent by the pro remain government posting leaflets to every door. Debates on TV. No one could miss it. If you were in the UK and didn't vote because you were disinterested then it means you didn't mind what the result was.
Those who could not vote because on some other reason- like sickness - would be split evenly between remain and leave. So no effect on the result.
So actually the result was a pretty conclusive representation of what the country wanted to do.

Moviebuff

With all due respect, we all had an equal opportunity to cast our vote - some could be bothered, some could't - it's how the vote was counted ON THE DAY that matters.

Stop being bugged by it and just accept that this is how voting has always worked - the referendum in this respect is no different. It's a snapshot of opinion on the day. It was made perfectly clear by many leading politicians before hand, that whatever the public's decision, although not legally binding, the country must abide by it.

Why that is a problem for a noisy minority is really beyond me!

Matt_C

Just found out my team lost in the football match this evening. Unfortunately it was decided before kick off that whoever had scored the most goals after 90 minutes won. Is there any way we can go back and change the rules now so it didn't happen?

Moviebuff

It'll never happen - it would make the result, a complete mockery, and not in the ethos of the game!

It would bring football into disrepute & is just not sporting!

But hang on, let me think. You may be in luck.



I'm sure I saw a precedent being bandied about somewhere ........
.

doug56hl

You all still seem to think it was your choice - it was never your choice, you never had any influence on what’s going to be. We do live in a democracy, but don’t confuse that with you, the people, calling the shots. We vote in a government and they make the decisions and the choices. You, I, all of us “mere folk” never had a say. It doesn’t matter if it was a landslide 100% leave or 100% remain, we were only ever going to do what the governing bodies wanted to do.

Pacifico

And they, the governing elite are hell bent on proving that very point!

Moviebuff

deleted

EarthRod

Thats normally the point of voting - to enact change

Well you cant blame those who voted Leave for the delay - if democratic votes can be overturned by those who lost simply drawing out the process what is the point of voting.

And a week after another referendum we will not know what the current view of the electorate is - thats just the way life works and unless you are going to have referendums every week you just have to live with it.

How precisely would you come to the settled view of the people?. You either accept voting as a means of measurement where the largest vote usually wins or have some other method that tends to involves dictators  and invading Poland.

Aha - now we get to the meat and potatoes - those who lost want another bite at the cherry.

Totally agree with you on this point..