Just an observation here. I have an aversion to whipping. This is something normally associated with slave drivers - or with certain women on the Reeperbahn. Does it really belong in the House of Commons ? Yet, apparently, they are all at it - apart from Caroline Lucas (who is not into self flagellation). I expect my MPs to vote based on their consciences, and based on representing their constituencies - but will it happen ? In reality there is as much chance of a vote against the activation of Article 50 as there is of Luton playing in the Prem. within the next few years - I would love to see them being brave enough, but it won't happen.
Brexit is like a boil on the nose. It has to take its course and, one day, it will be over. When I see a rampant bull I do not jump on it and try to wrestle it to the ground - much better is to jump on it, ride it, and wait till it is exhausted. At the moment our 'rampant bull' is fuelled by 30 years of continuous lying by the press, so it will take some time. Give it 2 years of fruitless negotiations (I can't predict these, because they have no precedent), 2 years of seeing how Trump can **** up the rosy idea of what the rest of the World looks like, and then we will have a completely different World. Let the people have a glimpse of this 'promised land'. It involves the idea that Britain can be a pioneer of free trade in the World. That it can open up to the rest of the World (in order to be raped ?). The rest of the World means - the USA. with a kind of mini TTIP, which would be a bigger threat to British sovereignty than anything else. China ? Yes, flood the UK. with Chinese products, cheap steel etc. and place British workers in direct competition with Chinese workers. India ? We've seen a glimpse of this already - they wnat free movement of people as well. Free trade, and free movement with a country which still has periodic bouts of Cholera. The rest of the Commonwealth ? Australia, Canada and New Zealand have a combined population less than that of Italy. There are others of course, Russia, Saudi Arabia........
In contrast to these other countries, those which have infrastructures most similar to our own are all in Europe. Those with most similarities regarding human rights, workers rights, environmental laws etc. are all European. Those partners who are on eye to eye level with us are also in Europe. There is no other country in the World which is more, on a par with Britain, than France is, and Germany is not much different. They are our natural partners. They are also the partners which represent the least threat to our sovereignty - because of their parity. All a bit of a no brainer really.