Why on earth was a matter of war and peace left to a referendum? As someone who lives in the UK my confidence in referenda and most forms of direct democracy (a

Why on earth was a matter of war and peace left to a referendum? As someone who lives in the UK my confidence in referenda and most forms of direct democracy (and watching the US that is starting to include having presidential elections over parliamentary systems in which the executive comes from the parliament) couldn't deteriorate any further. A common criticism in the UK to Brexit amoung remain supporters is that an issue that complex or fraught should never have been brought before the public as something to be voted on. Can we please all just adopt sensible parliamentary democracies and recognise that plebiscites are a clutch for weak posturing governments that should otherwise face a general election challenge.