Implications of not invoking Article 50

[CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger]

So there is plenty of talk about whether or not Article 50 will actually be triggered.

Let's say that it's not, what do you think the implications will be? Will the whole sorry mess just get swept under the carpet? Will we be forevermore looked upon as the laughing stock of the EU? Will it's initiate a conversation and possibly action to shake up British politics for the better or worse?

Would like to hear anyone's thoughts.

[AgentProvocateur]

I think there would be civil unrest in the leave-voting areas.

[CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger]

Yes quite possibly AgentProvocateur - do you think this would escalate to violence/rioting?

[ofshoes]

I think there would be civil unrest in the leave-voting areas

Without a doubt, I also think that the elite of the country would think it was a small price to pay, after all sending out the riot police to break some heads doesn't really do them any harm does it? They blatantly do not want this to go ahead.

[AgentProvocateur]

Yes, I do. I don't know if you're as old as me but I remember watching the Toxteth riots and the Brixton riots on TV as a teen. I think they were caused by disaffected black youths who felt their voice wasn't being heard. Now, imagine that on a greater scale when, in some places, over 60% of residents felt that they weren't being listened to v

[scousesal]

I think there will civil unrest of we do invoke it .They have torn us in two either side is going be angry .

[3amEternal]

Lolz at baby boomer civil unrest. When would they find the time to riot between cruising?

[CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger]

I was alive agent but is not old enough to remember :) I was in the middle of the 2011 riots though. It's a terrifying thought - the potential size of the unrest.

[ofshoes]

Lolz at baby boomer civil unrest

I have to admit I was delighted with myself when I made a "last charge of the mobility scooters" joke on another thread! So much so that I've just re used it

[sunnydayinmay]

I would agine I will depend on whether we dither, or make a clear statement that we are not leaving.

If we dither, then I guess it will be a disaster economically, as no one can make any plan.

If we stated that we aren't leaving after all (maybe after a General Election), then civil unrest, which will be ignored/quashed, and a much much lower turnout in any future election. I can't imagine we'd set fire to Parliament.

[StrictlyMumDancing]

I think it's too simplistic a question, like the entire referendum.

The outcome depends on how or why it's not done.

If it were just not done then I'd imagine there would be some public upswell. Potential rioting maybe civil war. Definite even more swing of the populace to the very right wing.

If for example the EU offered a deal that allowed us to have some element of sovereignty and allowed some restrictions on migration or addressed other concerns then I'd doubt there would be much of a fuss made over all.

And anything between those two extremes could cause anything between full on civil war and nothingness.

The sad reality is that however we exit or don't exit the Eu is going to upset the vast majority of people. So anything from full on civil war to nothingness is on the table anyway.

[JinRamen]

Marking place to read later.

[twofingerstoGideon]

There would probably be some civil unrest, particularly amongst far right racist groups like EDL, Britain First, British National Party etc.

I believe the government has painted itself into a corner (thanks, Cameron). They decided to ignore economic experts and plough ahead with a referendum despite having no plan. They are the subject of much piss-taking in the international media, but are prepared to plough right ahead with something that most experts* agree will be disastrous, at least in the short to medium term. Who cares if the country eats itself because... 'democracy'. Good for the UK, taking the most important decision in decades by putting it to a public vote following a campaign of lies and calling it democracy. Go Britain!

*I mean, what do they know...?

[BMW6]

I am absolutely sure that there would be massive civil unrest - I hesitate to say Civil War but frankly I think there is a very good chance of it.

[twofingerstoGideon]

Civil war? So the remainers (48%) are expected to suck it up, move on, not march etc., because 'it's done now'. But there will be civil war if the other side (52%) doesn't get a satisfactory outcome?

[Surferjet]

Civil war? So the remainers (48%) are expected to suck it up, move on

Yes. Because you lost.

[sunnydayinmay]

I don't think there would be civil war. I actually think most people would actually have voted "Neither of the Above because I didn't want this Bloody Referendum in the First Place". That's the main thing I am hearing from my friends and acquaintances. They just want to get on with their lives without the uncertainty.

[GhostofFrankGrimes]

Yes. Because you lost.

it's not a football match. Peoples lives are being turned upside down.

[CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger]

Sorry Stictly, should have made myself clearer - I mean rather than leave us in limbo there is a resolute decision not to leave the EU.

Tiggytape - love the spouse leave analogy, I agree that we would always be viewed as being half heartedly in the "relationship". I doubt that compromises will be offered by the EU, think it is an all or nothing situation. I am basing my question on if it was decided by the gvt to stay within the EU on an "all" basis (i.e. freedom of moment etc.)

twofingers I wholeheartedly agree with you.

[Margrethe]

I think you are spot on tiggytape.

[twofingerstoGideon]

Yes. Because you lost.
Haven't we moved on from facile comments like this?

[megletthesecond]

Riots probably. Heaven help us if we have a heatwave next summer and if article 50 is delayed or stopped (whatever the official term is).

[CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger]

This clearly isn't a win/lose situation - I fail to see how anyone in this country will win whether we stay or go to be honest - damned if we do/damned if we don't - God, what an utter fuck up.

[Helmetbymidnight]

I didn't see 'last charge of the mobility scooters' before and I like it.
Potential for a sit com surely!