Rex Murphy on Referendums

Point of View: Are referendums a really good thing? Rex Murphy says, "yes".

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[alexanderturner]

This is very refreshing after the "Turning Point || Brexit" video from CBC. Whether people agree with him or not, Rex has done the viewers of CBC the benefit of providing the second side of the coin for if we only hear and speak one opinion then we cannot say we've properly examined an issue.

[BCcal]

As usual, Rex with his succinct, erudite communication style delivers us the unvarnished truth. Well done sir!

[jamestod]

Totally disagree. We voted Trudeau and this was in his election platform. The committee is balanced, I'm in support of that process to change the system and a vote after if we want to keep it if we absolutely have to have it.

[lawall]

that was great, you seem to be one of the ump's in this game who hasn't been bought off. I am seriously impressed.

[happyharry]

FINALLY, this man said something that made sense.

[danr.]

The vote to leave, won by less than 2% It is too close ot say it's "what the people want". Not to mention that most of Scotland wanted to stay.
If Scotland had have left Britain months ago there would be no question. 3/4 of England woudl have had a clear majority.

[canadiancitizen]

Some words of wisdom in these confusing times.

[christheneutral]

Rex, I could not have said it better.

[zzidaric]

TOTALLY AGREE

Outario referendum anyone?

[coleenspence]

Less formal education is not indicative of intelligence.Cameron's reaction was pathetic.The Remainers truly believed that they couldn't lose.C'est la vie.

[billqxyz]

There has been a lot of discussion recently about the need for Trudeau to put his election-promised voting reform to a referendum and this idea has been supported by Rex Murphy. I disagree!

Canadians elected Trudeau to lead and now we should get out of the way while he does as he promised.

A referendum on his actions will be held at the next national election.

After all, we can’t hold referendums every time a complex subject comes up---like the right-to-die legislation, going to war, giant expenditures on war planes, or whether muslems should be barred from wearing their niqab or burka during citizenship ceremonies.

We have history, traditions, values, common sense, government access to “expert” advice and input, public opinion, a free press, a constitution, oversight by the Supreme Court, and elections to guide political decision making without throwing unschooled public vetoes into the mix.

When “game-playing” politicians call for a referendum, it is because they think 1) the public already agrees with their political choice and they want to demonstrate this to quiet the opponents, or 2) they think that government campaigns can educate, inform and sway public support to the government’s favoured position---but sometimes herd mentality gathers uncontrolled momentum under the leadership of opportunist politicians like Boris Johnson and sh---t, er Brexits happens!

[PrecisionPulseCapital]

Love how he tied it all together by ending it, with Canada's potential change in the voting system.

[passpatoo]

Rex interjects some valid points but then goes on to generalize that the 'well heeled, intellectuals' all voted to remain, while the 'unintellectual' voted to leave the EU. I don't think this is the case. There were several divisions. Young and old. Scotland, Northern Ireland/Britain. And isn't a little "elitist" to be even making this a speech? To inform us as to who is actually qualified to vote in a referendum.I recognize that this comes with some baggage, but: Is a regular 'Joe' such as myself, really capable of making such a large decision such as to whether or not Britain should leave EU, when people who have spent entire careers learning and understanding the trade and political implications of those ties? I, after all, wouldn't expect a non-expert to be making a decision that affected my business. Those 'elites' that knew about the consequences did predict the market and currency devaluations that we saw happen in the hours and days following the referendum. We also saw evidence of "buyers remorse" by via people wishing to take back their vote, and top google searches following the referendum results. Those experts also foresaw the xenophobic incidents that have increased since the vote. They also have predicted things to get worse for Britain on economic issues.  Perhaps Rex isn't the "expert" we should be paying attention to. Especially when it comes to a referendum on our voting.

[BobTheBob]

Yeah...I doubt the plumber knows the long term effects of interest rates on secondary bond markets. That's why we have to appeal to experts. We have survey studies as to what/who people without a college education vote for. They voted for Brexit in the UK, Conservatives in Canada; and will vote Trump in November. They're free to vote in any which way they want; but I've no problem with pointing out their ignorance.

[jaywilson]

Much of what Rex says here, I can get behind, but the overall point he makes I cannot. We have representative democracy for a reason: To elect the best of us to represent our best interests. When you have a popular vote like a referendum on such an issue like this, you leave it open to mob rule.

A person is smart; people are dumb. The open buyers' remorse after the Brexit vote is a clear example of that.

[mgmkop]

"Britain has had enough of experts" - Michael Gove

lol

[thegrayquillarc]

well said I will admit after brexit I thinking how stupid but that becomes the falure of everyone on both sides of a vote if the people are poorly educated or informed

[jerbear]

Abraham Lincoln was a Republican Rex. He no doubt acted more like a Democrat but his party was the Republicans.

[andrewthompson]

Rex Rex Rex I even knew Lincoln was a republican haha