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One thing we're learning is that the UK government can do whatever it wants. Who is going to stop it breaking it's own laws? The UK people have been educated in

One thing we're learning is that the UK government can do whatever it wants. Who is going to stop it breaking it's own laws? The UK people have been educated in an obedience system (where they actually all wear a uniform) and are taught to do what they're told without challenge. The result is a large population of people who can not think for themselves and believe that the government is like a big parent who can keep them nice and safe. For years the UK at least had the EU who has some laws protecting people, but they've even convinced these obedient lemmings to leave the only union protecting their rights. One of the biggest problems with government and law is that the people will only fight for what they want, not what they already have. Meaning history will always repeat itself, laws will be passed when people become repressed, then repealed as soon as people forget.

switch007 9y ago
> One thing we're learning is that the UK government can do whatever it wants This shouldn't be news for anyone who's lived here a few years, with a basic understanding of UK politics. The acrid stench of arrogance and righteousness that emanates from Westminster travels to the far corners of these isles.
- pjc50 9y ago
  Vindictiveness, enabled by the newspapers, is a big part of this as well. A large chunk of the public don't want rights for everyone; they would actually prefer a system where the police beat confessions out of suspects and people are fitted up for crimes because they're a minority who happened to be near it.
vixen99 9y ago
'its own laws'
Chriky 9y ago
The UK government, along with all major political parties, campaigned AGAINST leaving the EU. I know HN loves its skin deep political analysis but this really is weak.
- turblety 9y ago
  I wouldn't say they "campaigned" against it. Wasn't one of the biggest issues people had with Brexit was the complete lack of information and opinions from the government on how they should vote. If anything the government was too silent and didn't take a side either way. However, a few officials did offer their opinions, but it was mostly to leave, with Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage getting considerable media coverage. There was also Michael Gove, Ian Dunken Smith, Chris Grayling, Zac Goldsmith, and all those Grassroots Out guys. They were very vocal and on radio and TV nearly every day. Just because Cameron quit office and a few other politicians said once or twice that we shouldn't leave doesn't make it a "campaign". Trust me, when the UK government campaigns they are very good at it (smoking ban, traffic safety, more surveillance less rights for people). So no, I really disagree with your claim the government "campaigned" against leaving EU. Maybe you're right and they didn't outright support the plan, but definitely didn't put a lot of effort trying to stop it.
  - lostboys67 9y ago
    well I would say (as semi pro rules lawyer) that David Cameron was grossly incompetent in framing the referendum Q. And arguably some one should have demanded judicial review as the referendum did not follow custom and practice by using a simple majority instead of the normal 2/3 or 75% to make major changes
    - insert_username 9y ago
      I don't think the remain campaign was particularly effective (though the leave campaign also seemed pretty disorganized and amateurish at times), and I think Cameron was a little overconfident, but it's ridiculous to suggest that the remain side didn't really care about the result. It was obvious that Cameron's political career depended on getting a remain victory, so of course he worked hard for it. The referendum was purely advisory, so it's up to the government to decide how they want to interpret the result. There is no "custom and practice" of requiring 2/3 or 75% supermajorities in the UK, and judicial review is pretty limited here anyway. The goal of the referendum was to deliver a blow to Ukip and the eurosceptic wing of the Conservative party - anything that made the referendum seem biased against them would have just made them more angry and self-righteous.

switch007 9y ago

> One thing we're learning is that the UK government can do whatever it wants This shouldn't be news for anyone who's lived here a few years, with a basic understanding of UK politics. The acrid stench of arrogance and righteousness that emanates from Westminster travels to the far corners of these isles.

pjc50 9y ago
Vindictiveness, enabled by the newspapers, is a big part of this as well. A large chunk of the public don't want rights for everyone; they would actually prefer a system where the police beat confessions out of suspects and people are fitted up for crimes because they're a minority who happened to be near it.

vixen99 9y ago

'its own laws'

Chriky 9y ago

The UK government, along with all major political parties, campaigned AGAINST leaving the EU. I know HN loves its skin deep political analysis but this really is weak.

turblety 9y ago
I wouldn't say they "campaigned" against it. Wasn't one of the biggest issues people had with Brexit was the complete lack of information and opinions from the government on how they should vote. If anything the government was too silent and didn't take a side either way. However, a few officials did offer their opinions, but it was mostly to leave, with Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage getting considerable media coverage. There was also Michael Gove, Ian Dunken Smith, Chris Grayling, Zac Goldsmith, and all those Grassroots Out guys. They were very vocal and on radio and TV nearly every day. Just because Cameron quit office and a few other politicians said once or twice that we shouldn't leave doesn't make it a "campaign". Trust me, when the UK government campaigns they are very good at it (smoking ban, traffic safety, more surveillance less rights for people). So no, I really disagree with your claim the government "campaigned" against leaving EU. Maybe you're right and they didn't outright support the plan, but definitely didn't put a lot of effort trying to stop it.
- lostboys67 9y ago
  well I would say (as semi pro rules lawyer) that David Cameron was grossly incompetent in framing the referendum Q. And arguably some one should have demanded judicial review as the referendum did not follow custom and practice by using a simple majority instead of the normal 2/3 or 75% to make major changes
  - insert_username 9y ago
    I don't think the remain campaign was particularly effective (though the leave campaign also seemed pretty disorganized and amateurish at times), and I think Cameron was a little overconfident, but it's ridiculous to suggest that the remain side didn't really care about the result. It was obvious that Cameron's political career depended on getting a remain victory, so of course he worked hard for it. The referendum was purely advisory, so it's up to the government to decide how they want to interpret the result. There is no "custom and practice" of requiring 2/3 or 75% supermajorities in the UK, and judicial review is pretty limited here anyway. The goal of the referendum was to deliver a blow to Ukip and the eurosceptic wing of the Conservative party - anything that made the referendum seem biased against them would have just made them more angry and self-righteous.