Today, 15 April, is the first birthday of the People’s Vote campaign. It has grown and gained momentum unlike anything we have seen in modern British history, from a whispered impossibility to a campaign that drew on a million citizens to march behind it. While the road ahead is still a lengthy and turbulent one, we have come a long way, and we move forward with a genuine sense of optimism as we mark our first year milestone.
I recall the launch of the campaign well. Like many young people, I was devastated by the narrow victory for Leave in the EU referendum. By 2018, despite the obvious storm clouds growing on the horizon – I had accepted it, and was willing, albeit reluctantly, to move on.
Even as it became more apparent that the promises of the leave campaign were a million miles away from the Brexit being delivered, and as our political leaders struggled to grapple with this simple fact, there didn’t seem to be a way out of the mess until the People Vote campaign sprung into fruition. This is one of the reasons why I joined For our Future’s Sake (FFS), a youth movement which is mobilising thousands of young people and students across the UK.
Fast forward one year, and it’s clear that not only is the idea of a confirmatory referendum here to stay but it is quickly becoming the only credible proposition left standing in this harrowing, Game of Thrones-esque, Brexit debate.
Last week, the European leaders listened to the people of the United Kingdom, as we projected our hopes onto the famous Berlaymont building in Brussels, saying a People’s Vote is the only democratic solution out of this crisis. They responded by giving us a long extension of six months, which ensures that we have the most precious birthday gift of all; time.
So what do we need to do with our new-found time?
Firstly, we need to be advancing the case that, unquestionably, we have to take part in European elections. It is absurd if the government used one democratic event the halt another, which ensures our voices are heard in Brussels, simply to prevent the people from having their say on any final Brexit deal.
Secondly, we should influence as many of the major parties as possible, particularly the Labour Party, to come out unequivocally in support of a public vote on any agreed Brexit Deal in their manifestos. Evidently, we are not a political party, but we will be supportive of those who do have that commitment, and FFS will certainly be leading the charge for voter registration with young people and students.
We need to continue to build the case for a second vote, mobilise young people, influence political parties and ensuring that there are a variety of voices in mainstream media calling for a confirmatory referendum.
In particular, there needs to be a renewed focus on ensuring that Conservative Party members – and even Brexiters – feel comfortable and can argue the case, that not only is this the best compromise forward, but that it is the only way out of this mess. FFS’ Conservative activists such as Tom Hulme are bravely leading the way in this regard, alongside MP Huw Merriman and journalist Peter Oborne.
Finally, we need to ensure that the mistakes of three years ago aren’t repeated over the next six months. The reality is that millions of people voted for Brexit because they have legitimate grievances and concerns with their lives. It is not their fault that the promises of Brexit are being brazenly and repeatedly broken by the Brexit elite.
Any campaign for a People’s Vote has to show that such a vote can unite the country – Leavers and Remainers alike – and give the people a sense of hope and optimism.
This campaign has to be different. It already is – with young people and students genuinely at the epicentre of decision-making for a mass political campaign, for perhaps the first time ever.
For the last year, a People’s Vote has continued to grow momentum – the next six months will show how much.
Isi Daley is a student mobilisation co-ordinator for For our Future’s Sake, a youth and student-led movement which is part of People’s Vote campaign.