Debate

Today is the day I am going to see the debate on the need for a second refendum.  Have been looking forward to it, despite the fact there will be no vote and no further stage.  This makes a bit of a mockery of the whole thing but I hope to learn things.  

It is also the day to take the sewing machine to the person who has more current need of it than me. Yes, the Art Historian.  So I set off on an adventure by taxi, (only discovered at the bus stop that my bus was cut; there wasn't enough public opposition is the official line, but I for one could not back buses ahead of kids and mental health, so thanks to austerity, the only winners are the taxi drivers), train (15 mins late) and shanks pony.  I have tea and wait for her outside the RA.  You can just see the lawn to the right. It replaces the monstrosity and is more pleasant on the eye. However, it is for cinema screenings, the like of which cannot be afforded by the AH's generation. 

The third important thing about today is that it is, or would be my lovely Mum's 86th birthday. I am wearing the hedgehog charm which I saved from her charm bracelet.  I sold the latter, on her instructions; she knew I'm not a bracelet person.  I remember all the years we bought her charms for special occasions.  Happy times. 

After a nice lunch I walk through St. James's Park to Westminster. 

I queue ten minutes for a pass and then here I am.  The wonderful Gothic building is inspiring, easy to access and well worth a visit.  The cafe is reasonable to my surprise.  

I am transfixed for two hours.  There will be no consequences, no vote, no referral to the House of Commons, nada.  So in that respect the public are short changed, as Caroline Lucas says to me afterwards.  To my surprise, I do a U-turn.   Here is the message I just posted for our StrongerIn page.

  

Hello All, I have just been to the debate on the petition calling for a second referendum.  It was SO interesting.  I even got to talk to Caroline Lucas at the end.  She, Chuka Umunna and David Lammy made all the points we have made in the past very eloquently.  I have, however, come away feeling differently about things.  I feel that any parliamentary vote or second referendum is treating the 52% with disdain and smacks of metropolitan elitism.  I do believe we should push for access to the single market, the right to remain for EU citizens living here and for that 350 million for the NHS.  I think this will be my focus.  I know the manifesto group said 'stop Brexit' but it said all this stuff too; I am not divorcing you lot!  That Ian Paisley character said 'careful what you wish for' and I see a lot of unrest if the 48% get this wrong.  What do people think?  Of course I may wake up feeling a little different......

So now it is homewards on a train which, miraculously is running to time!