EU referendum, brexit and the aftermath

And also (especially for any A level Politics students reading - this is for Paper 1 as well) that attempted reforms to improve participation, such as e-petitions prompting Westminster Hall debates, are ineffective because they do not lead to any meaningful outcomes and the government does not have to listen to the result.

If only they could be that cavalier about advisory referendums.

If there is any take-away from this entire shit show it’s that referendums are bullshit and direct democracy doesn’t work.

Referendum's are dangerous. The advisory nature should be clearly communicated. And it would have been sensible to have thresholds for margin/ turnout to prevent such bitter division on a close call.

The problem with democracy seems to be in its implementation. Unfortunately, every system fails when it suffers from the corruption of the people and institutions on which it relies, however well conceived. I wouldn't give up on democracy, but there is an overhaul required for it to begin functioning properly and perhaps the current shitshow will eventually lead to that.