“Non-binding advisory referendum”
What’s the point of something like that? Sounds like a waste of money.
Well there are two reasons
1. A referendum is not a common idea in Britain. In fact, until 2016 it was considered a tool only used by fascist states. This referendum was the 3rd such in the UK’s history. There is no constitutional means for this in the UK.
2. David Cameroon meant it as a “show” referendum which he wouldn’t lose. All polls were that he would win handily. It was only when Boris J and Gove used the opportunity to try and push their future candidature for PM did it unravel. BoJo and Gove believed that they would lose (meaning Remain would win) but that they would get enough public notice that they would win a political fight in the future.
It was a bloody waste of money - instead of doing it right and putting out explicitly as a two stage question:
1. Do you want to leave the EU and the customs union? Yes/No?
— if you vote No, then the process will be as follows....
2. If yes then which of the following 3 options do you choose?