It’s been a difficult process seeing the country I represent so divided and angry about Brexit. But finally, this summer, I believe we are seeing a breakthrough. Of course many haven’t changed their minds about Brexit but I am meeting more and more people who are acknowledging they hadn’t grasped the sheer complexity of our membership of the EU – or its many benefits – and are having second thoughts.
Encouragingly, this is particularly the case in places like Swindon, Plymouth, and Cornwall – all of which voted to leave the EU but will suffer greatly if we proceed with Brexit. From my exchanges with government ministers it is clear to me that they don’t have plans in place for what will happen after March next year. They just want us out at any price and will accept any chaos – 50 years of it according to a Rees-Mogg (see my Guardian article on this) – to achieve our exit from the EU. I think that sort of extremism is giving many pro-Leave voters pause for thought.
Part of the reason for the growing concern is increasing evidence that the Leave campaigns were engaged in illegal activity (see below). We’re talking about breaking electoral law through over-spending and illegal collusion but also using overseas routes to spread lies and propaganda. Choosing Canada-based AIQ for some of the most deceitful advertising that has now emerged – about the EU wanting to steal your cuppa or preventing you saving polar bears – was a deliberate choice to avoid UK electoral laws. I’m also deeply concerned about how Brexit forces are threatening our democracy (see details below).
It sometimes feels that my whole life revolves around Brexit, but there is other important work going on. As an elected representative of the European institutions I continue to work on vital topics like using the power of finance to shift the economy towards sustainability and transforming the farming system away from a dependence on chemicals and antibiotics to a future working with rather than against nature (see my video). But it’s because I know the huge contribution the European Parliament is making on these issues – and the vital influence of Greens there – that I hope you will join me in campaigning for a People’s Vote (see below). And then campaigning to Remain in the EU!
Exposing the Brexit forces threatening our democracy
There are two important things I want to share with you, in the hope you will share them with others.
Firstly, as a follow up to the very popular Bad Boys of Brexit website, I have now launched a site exploring the murky network of powerful and secretive organisations that are using the vote to leave the EU as an opportunity to rewrite the rules of British democracy. The Brexit Syndicate reveals how these fake think tanks, ‘charities’, ‘data analytics’ firms and ‘research’ organisations have set about attacking free elections, free speech and pushing an extreme free trade agenda. They plan to use trade treaties to eliminate the standards and protections politicians have fought to secure over the past four decades and so subvert the democratic process to ensure it works for the few, rather than the many.
Perhaps most alarmingly, these dubious groups are exercising extraordinary influence over government policy to the exclusion of the majority of citizens and interest groups. For example, leading Brexiters including Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Dominic Raab all have close associations with the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), one of the organisations we examine in detail on the site and has recently been embroiled in a ‘cash for access to ministers’ scandal.
So, some summer reading, to learn more about the threats to our democracy in the wake of Brexit. Please do share, but given the shocking content, I advise you don’t read at bedtime or while trying to enjoy a relaxing holiday!
This brings me to the second but strongly related item. In the wake of the IEA revelations mentioned above, I have launched a petition calling on the BBC to stop giving airtime to organisations whose funding is not transparent. The IEA, and others like the Tax Payers Alliance, have repeatedly received the lowest transparency rating by campaign group Who Funds You? but are regularly given airtime by the BBC.
Please do sign this petition and share it widely amongst your networks.
Other news in brief
‘Brexitgate’ update
I have been working hard to expose and highlight illegal activities associated with the Leave campaign. Both the official Vote Leave campaign and the unofficial Leave.EU campaigns have been found guilty of breaching spending limits and breaking electoral law. I wrote to Lynne Owens, the Director General of the National Crime Agency, regarding illegal behaviour during the EU referendum campaign.
I also challenged Facebook’s Director on Policy in Europe during a hearing in the European Parliament on whether the company would disclose the information it holds on AggregateIQ’s involvement in the Leave Campaign. See a short video of this here.
Since then, Facebook have released the AIQ ads to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, chaired by Damian Collins, which has been investigating fake news. Some of these adverts are blatant lies.
Finally, I have also written to Home Secretary Sajid Javid demanding to know what is being done to investigate collusion between the Russian security services and the Brexit campaign.
Support for a People’s Vote surging
I was one of a cross-party group of MEPs who issued a statement challenging the mandate for Brexit and demanding a People’s Vote on the final deal between the UK and EU.
I also joined 100,000 people at the People’s Vote march in London in June. Support for a final say referendum is growing fast. Please sign the petition if you haven’t done so already – this has now reached a quarter of a million people.
Here is a short video clip of an interview I gave on the People’s Vote.
Finally, in case you missed them…four articles you might be interested to read:
A no-deal Brexit could make most of us poorer – and Jacob Rees-Mogg richer
Writing for the Guardian, I explore why Jacob Rees-Mogg, who has acknowledged any ‘Brexit dividend’ may take 50 years, is pressing for a no-deal Brexit that would have such devastating impacts on his North East Somerset constituents? Could it have something to do with self-interest and personal gain?
The ministers behind Vote Leave should be sacked
Another Guardian article in which I call for Theresa May to sack ministers involved in the Leave campaign, following the Electoral Commission investigation that found the campaign was guilty of breaking electoral law.
Why did Nigel Farage tell the world he thought remain had won?
A third Guardian article published in June in which I explore why Nigel Farage declared Remain had won the EU referendum when private polling told him otherwise. Could it have anything to do with helping his hedge fund chums make millions gambling on the pound which collapsed once the true result was known?
Panic about a No Deal outcome might trigger an exit from Brexit. But is there a reverse gear?
Writing for Left Foot Forward, I look at the legal and practical implications of revoking Article 50. The conclusion is clear: We can revoke Article 50 by agreeing to hold a People’s Vote. This is the way to end the Brexit nightmare – democratically – and retain the many benefits we currently enjoy from our EU membership.
I wish you all a relaxed and peaceful holiday season.
Molly Scott Cato
