Yes. The only referendums that are binding are the ones where that is written into the wording (as it was with the Scottish vote). But who in the Government would dare say so?
Actually, I wrote this, in this thread, last month.
I do think that immigration did play a large part in the decision to leave. The Uk has the highest head count per square kilometre than any other EU member.
We have something like 269 people per square kilometre compared to Germany's 233. France is just over a 100. Germany and France are mainly flat and are capable of being inhabitable fully across their lands. Immigrants can settle anywhere. We do not have that luxury. Scotland is almost a 1/3 of the UK in land mass yet has only approx. 5 Million compared to England's over 100 million. Most of Scotland is hills and difficult to populate, so if you take Scotland out of the total UK's headcount we are nearly 400 compared to Germany's 233, and France's just over a 100. Wales is also largely uninhabitable, so if you remove its head count then the final English figure would be higher again.
Nobody is saying that immigration is a bad thing, but I think that uncontrolled immigration was the factor that tipped the scales for many. The EU has worked wonders as regards social reform and we really do need cooperation for stability and peace. The UK cannot "go it alone" we may have voted not to be ruled by Europe but we would be very foolish to detach ourselves completely from Europe.
What Brexit has now led to ...
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/683448/Brexit-EU-Referendum-Vote-Racist-Polish-Muslim-Eastern-European-Flyer-Cambridgeshire
Our once polite nation is becoming hostile... 
When were we a polite nation? Remember 'Rivers of Blood'?
When were we a polite nation? Remember 'Rivers of Blood'?
I remember Rivers of Babylon....but Rivers of Blood !
When were we a polite nation? Remember 'Rivers of Blood'?
Enoch Powell was influential in his speech (criticising immigration in UK) with a 67-82% of the UK population agreeing with him, however this did not spill over into overly aggressive acts. Anyway, to judge the nation's behaviour with that one moment in time (1968) is unbalanced and not representative.
We are regarded as a genteel nation by Americans and we are known for our ability to queue...very civilised!
Of course, before we can leave the 1972 European Communities Act has to be repealed. That will take an Act of Parliament. The vote there could go the other way.
I remember Rivers of Babylon....but Rivers of Blood !
Does this mean you don't?
Does this mean you don't?
I remember the newspapers printing something like that, but Enoch Powell didn't say those words.
He did speak of immigration as being a potential problem if it were not managed properly, and he was pillared by the establishment for saying so.
In the past, every time someone has spoke out about immigration problems they have been shouted down and accused of racialism. It is only now when the negative impact of immigration is being felt and can be calculated are we openly talking about it.
Of course, before we can leave the 1972 European Communities Act has to be repealed. That will take an Act of Parliament. The vote there could go the other way.
Yes but EU have already told us to get out pronto so where does that leave us?
I remember the newspapers printing something like that, but Enoch Powell didn't say those words.
He did speak of immigration as being a potential problem if it were not managed properly, and he was pillared by the establishment for saying so.
In the past, every time someone has spoke out about immigration problems they have been shouted down and accused of racialism. It is only now when the negative impact of immigration is being felt and can be calculated are we openly talking about it.
Openly discussing racism is one thing but the recent, heightened levels of hate crime is another and needs addressing. How can we move forward as a united state with such blatant, damaging division?
There is no substitute for common sense. Is there?
Everybody jumps in to shouts out names....it's their own guilt and lack of grasp. I have absolutely no respect for left wing. Both left and right are bonkers, completely out of balance. Right is plain thick, left is super pretentious, faffy, out of touch and possessor of subtle ego of being cleverer and holier than everyone else.
I see there is a fundamental problem with how immigration is handled in the UK. And I am one myself!
It marginalises communities, harbours resentment...enforces mine thine dynamic what is so hard to see? Why is there such reluctance to call a spade a spade? Keep waffling banal crap as long as it does not upset anyone...is the policy right across the society, politics, authorities....
Right wing is anger and fear suppressed. There is no more to it. the right wing rises with vengeance, when views are suppressed, demonized and crushed not even allowing a chance to air their concerns and fears. That is blind control
Peace by stamping out hatred, dream on!
What is the reason behind the suppression of those views in first place?
Answer to that is -Faffs and fearfulness on the part of the people in charge. What kind of people are in office that are frightened of point of views, words and opinions? Are they people or mice?
The is fact that fear rules the left, the right and the authorities. No clarity, no direction. Just hollow empty philosophies, riddled with fearful anticipation
People talk of working and cooperating and friendly relations with Europe, world....when communities are alienated and disconnected from each other right here. A deep chasm in our own family, and dreams of being one with the world...A pie in the sky! I don't see any real assimilation plan in place...
People must be allowed to express their fears, concerns, doubts. most people feel vindicated if somebody actually bothers to listen to them. Authority is apathetic. Apathy breeds indifference and right wing. People need reassurance, not branding as racists. Great brushing aside technique and it works momentarily, but deep issues will not be wished away.
We need to put our house in order with openness, honesty and understanding
People must be allowed to express their fears, concerns, doubts. most people feel vindicated if somebody actually bothers to listen to them. Authority is apathetic. Apathy breeds indifference and right wing. People need reassurance, not branding as racists. Great brushing aside technique and it works momentarily, but deep issues will not be wished away.
We need to put our house in order with openness, honesty and understanding
Of course there is great concern about the immigration issue that requires better handling to allay the fears of those now branded as racists. However, the current rise in hate crime is deeply worrying and unacceptable, would you not agree?
I remember the newspapers printing something like that, but Enoch Powell didn't say those words.
He did speak of immigration as being a potential problem if it were not managed properly, and he was pillared by the establishment for saying so.
In the past, every time someone has spoke out about immigration problems they have been shouted down and accused of racialism. It is only now when the negative impact of immigration is being felt and can be calculated are we openly talking about it.
He said, "As I look ahead, I am filled with foreboding; like the Roman, I seem to see "the River Tiber foaming with much blood."
I'm all for talking about immigration. Let's start with how the rich half of the world exploits the poor half, pushing them into needing to emigrate. Let's continue with our need for poorly paid workers to do the jobs we think are 'beneath us'. And how rampant capitalism increases the gap between the rich and the poor. Maybe we could also mention how the British (along with other nations, okay. But certainly the British) have got rich on the backs of the exploited poor all over the world. We have been economic migrants everywhere! Let's talk about how our actions have increased climate change and how, when faced with migration or starvation, people will do as they have always done - they will migrate.