David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have spoken at length on this subject so I do not intend to take long or to repeat myself. I have referred previously to the insanity of placing such a politically complex matter before the most politically unsophisticated and illiterate public in Europe. I can say that as I am half English. I am not racist in this matter.

I admire the dignity that has been displayed by political leaders from all parties in this country in the face of ignorant and ill-informed comment from political figures in England. There were reasons for the people voting in the way they did. First, they have shown themselves to be rather unsophisticated politically. However, a large part of the response was in reaction to the fact that governments all over the world, including in the United Kingdom, in the face of the economic crash opted straight away to rescue the financial institutions that are criminally responsible for causing that crash in the first place. They allowed the people, the citizens, to go to hell. Of course that caused a response, even though it was an unfocused and largely illiterate response.

One of the most unattractive prospects has been the sight of people such as Mrs. Theresa May violating their beliefs. Mrs. May believes in remain but she pushes leave policies. This is utterly disgraceful and to be condemned. It is not democratic. People ask if Members of Parliament know more than the people. Of course, they bloody do. If they did not they would not be elected. If one thinks dustmen know more about financial institutions and the way the system operates then put them in the parliament. By and large, however, they do not, although I was rather surprised to see a dustman winning "Brain of Britain" on James Joyce. He knew everything, including a great deal about Finnegans Wake.

The result was close and the people voted after having been basted in a swirl of lies and deceit by the Brexiteers. It may not be politically correct to say that Members of Parliament know more than their constituents but it is clearly common sense. English politicians should develop, at last, a little backbone and spine and stand and speak for the things in which they believe. They should develop some principle. So what if it costs them their seats. They are supposed to be there for the good of the people, not for their own good or for the interests of their party. They should be for the interests of the country. Nobody except a complete eejit would believe that it is in the interests of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union.

I will conclude on the issue of a second referendum. People in England say it would not be democratic. That is absolute rubbish. It is the most democratic thing possible. They did not have a proper debate before it. We have only had the debate since they made their half-baked decision. Let us have a referendum now when people know the issues and know about the cliff over which the political parties are determined to trundle them. I am a great admirer of Mr. Jeremy Corbyn but I wish he would get off the fence and do something proper.