I call a "majority" in a referendum 50.1% of the vote. I am however open to being cogently shown otherwise ...
Really. 50% plus 1 tells me opinion is evenly split on a subject. There is a reason some votes need a 2/3rds majority to pass.
Very smart - think you know exactly the point being made: the difference being a majority of such slim margins (when less than 100% actually vote) that there is ongoing dissent and challenge.
Neither side of the debate, nor the UK electorate, demanded such a thing, so it was not (or should not be) enforced. And quite right too. For a matter of such importance, 100% should have voted. So for those who don't like the Leave result, blame the 28% of the electorate who could not be bothered to get off their arses, not the 37% who voted contrary to you.
Interesting developments in Washington..... https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/05/donald-trump-russia-investigation-fbi-informant/amp
The White House will henceforth be called "The Toilet" with Trump in charge of the well used plunger!
I was speaking in general about referenda. If talking about Brexit I would argue that 48% voted for the same thing. In the 52% there were many different views including some who despised Cameron. I don't see how the vote was ever a yes/no question unless we get the chance to vote again on the deal.
Things getting decidedly awkward for May as she desperately tries to avoid upsetting the DUP over the growing claims to regularise the Abortion laws in Northern Ireland with the rest of the UK and Ireland. She's pushing it into the longish grass for now, but the pressure is on from Tories and Labour alike. Can't see it ending well for her
I think NI have more important issues for now than starting an abortion debate. How about trying to find a way to get the legislative assembly back up and running.
Without a doubt. Unfortunately, at least for the DUP, this could be the issue that weakens their negotiating position as far as a new Assembly is concerned. And if in the meantime there is a Supreme Court ruling supporting the Human Rights argument for change, then that may make a decision from Westminster a formality. Either way - it's going to put the Tory/DUP alliance under serious pressure.
Seems the DUP want to be in line with the rest of the UK on borders, but not on abortion. Hypocritical feckwits or what? Or is it that they don't want anything that the southern Irish do?
It is somewhat ironic that Eire was always viewed as being "in the past" and under Catholic domination. Yet the Republic have shown on first gay marriage and now abortion they are part of the modern world. Shame many of those in NI cannot get on board too.
It's funny how the electorate are complaining about majorities. People seem to forget that with our ludicrous first past the post system, the government is regularly elected with less than 40% of the vote, so that every law it enacts is likely to be against the wishes of the majority! We shouldn't get upset with Brexit as an exception because it isn't - in fact more people are in favour of it than just about anything a government has ever enacted.