What I learned at the People's Vote march | 22 October 2018

Two beliefs obsess the Remain cause. First, that voters were lied to during the referendum campaign. (Questionable). Second, that the negotiations are being botched. (Indisputable). But while Remainers believe that their opponents are fibbers, they can’t see that they too are being misled. At the People’s Vote rally last Saturday, I found general acceptance of these four myths.

1. Brexit is a ‘far-right’ policy.
2. Europe will be closed to Britons after we leave.
3. The EU is run by saints who negotiate in good faith.
4. A second vote will heal the divisions caused by Brexit.

The rally was vast and good-tempered. Many demonstrators had come to be photographed rather than to protest. An Elvis-impersonator rode a yellow tricycle with a registration plate, ‘EUELVIS.’ A bald gent of about 50 who looked like a maths professor held up a home-made sign. ‘Terrible decision. Appallingly executed. I demand a final say.’ I could hear his querulous headmasterly tone as he inked the words onto his placard.