Thread by @NicolaJames007

As some of you already know, I'm 1/3 of the board of the Final Say For All Foundation, along with @grrrahh & @MintyTeaboy. We're closely supported by @Shieldmaid8 & @GuitarMoog. With growing support for a people's vote, I'd like to explain why it must be a @FinalSayForAll 1/

In the 2016 referendum #The5Million most directly affected were excluded from voting. This must not be allowed to happen again in any new vote that has such a direct impact on our lives. 2/

Let's first remind ourselves why it was decided to exclude #The5Million. EU27 in the UK were excluded on the grounds of citizenship. UK in the EU for 15+ years, were excluded on the grounds of residency. 3/

While it may be acceptable to decide the franchise based on one of these, to use both reasons to exclude a total of 5 million people isn't acceptable in a democracy. 4/

I've often been told that to include one or, ideally, both of these groups in the franchise would be "moving the goalposts". There are several reasons why I don't agree with that premise 5/

The people's vote is NOT a re-run of the 2016 referendum, but a NEW vote based on a NEW set of facts and circumstances. Therefore, it's not necessary to keep the same old franchise as the 2016 opinion poll 6/

In fact, it is impossible to keep the same franchise, as it has already changed. Some ppl have sadly died, many others have reached voting age since 23.06.16. A franchise is as dynamic as democracy and the will of the people. If the latter can change, then so can the franchise 7/

Of all the promises made & reneged upon, one promise was made by BOTH the leave and remain campaigns: that EU27 in UK & UK in EU would keep the exact same rights. Thus, no one voted for them to lose any rights. The goalposts were not only moved, they were removed altogether 8/

The argument that only UK citizens should have a say in this UK matter is entirely negated by the fact that
Commonwealth citizens and citizens of Cyprus and Malta were able to vote. I don't begrudge anyone their vote, but I demand the same right. 9/

Leavers have called the EU a 'dictatorship' and argue that the UK referendum was democratic. Yet, ironically, there was no democracy in the UK for the #The5Million who are being dictated to by a gov that we can't hold to account 10/

Alongside the colleagues already mentioned, the FSFA Foundation has a group of dedicated volunteers who give their time & expertise to help us reach our goal. Together we've organised many events & are currently organising more. See @FinalSayForAll for more info. 11/

We're currently updating our website finalsayforall.eu to include more about our more recent activities, but please visit it to find out more about what we do & perhaps you may wish to make a donation to help us with our current #BrexitIsPersonal project 12/

So my fellow remainers, campaigners and activists, when you demand a people's vote, please demand a people's vote for ALL. To include #The5Million in a #FinalSayForAll would only enhance democracy. Especially poignant in the year in which we celebrate 100 years of suffrage 13/

My thanks to the amazing #FSFA team: @mccanntb @john196201 @ColonelEscargot @Dogtrouser @Dimigaza @FirehorseP @DanielleYorks @IncorrectEn @IAmMardikins @eu_lover @Nocastus @suehard @MaldenSaboteur @Sillyshib @ProperCharly @MintyTeaboy @GuitarMoog @Shieldmaid8 @grrrahh End/