It seems Nigel – we’ve all had so much of him over the last three years that writing his last name is superfluous – is mobilising the Brexit Party for a probable 2019 European Parliament election campaign. Quite apart from any worries I have that the last couple of years have provided endless opportunity for the more right-leaning amongst us to re-invent themselves as Brexiteers, I believe Nigel will set up a spectacular own goal.
Let’s assume his party wins some seats. Self evidently, this will mean that Brexiteers have gone out and voted. Whatever their reasons for doing so (perhaps a delusion that getting some insiders into the EU Parliament will get us out quicker) it won’t be long before an ambitious intern at Remainer HQ realises that every vote cast in an EU election by a Brit is in fact a ringing endorsement of the principle of being in the EU and what we actually just had was a second referendum. This won’t be a difficult concept for the Remainers to spin.
Let’s just hope that whatever happens, if we are forced to elect some MEPs, that the total turnout in any such election is less than 17,410, 742.
Very good point. I didn’t think this through yet. I’m hoping with you.