The political asylum
This is a personal statement about the inescapable.
I voted Leave three years ago. I wasn’t influenced by that twat Boris, or by Nigel Phalange or anybody else. My vote wasn’t cast on economic grounds, or out of any personal financial motive. It was cast because I believe that the EU will eventually implode.
I didn’t vote against a continuing customs union with our European neighbours or against a future trading arrangement that makes them our principal partners. And I don’t give a single fuck about Arlene Foster (who the hell is she anyway in the great scheme of things?) and the Irish backstop.
I voted Leave, plain and simple, because I feel we should, but now I don’t care. I have been overcome. Any passion I have ever felt about the issue has been exhausted by the utter failure of our parliamentary system to cope with a situation that requires MPs to put national interest above self interest. I have been outraged by the slithering of Corbyn, a proven master of disloyalty, embarrassed by the Commons performance of Blackford, a clever man pretending to be an idiot, and driven to despair by the stupidity of a Prime Minister who was persuaded to throw away a working majority when it was entirely unnecessary, and now by her obduracy in continuing to hang her Norwegian Blue upside down in her shop window above a for sale sign. If Theresa May is a betting woman she is probably even now having a punt on Manchester United to win the FA Cup, even though they were knocked out in the last round.
The ultimate lunacy is that a General Election is being mooted as a way of sorting it all out.
This will copy on to Facebook as my blog posts do. I repeat, it is a personal statement. As they say on Twitter, my views are my own. So is my despair.
Quintin Jardine's blog 
Watching from afar, you have my sympathies.
However, even after 3 years when I ask several friends ‘why did you vote leave’ I have still not got a CLEAR answer from any of them.
‘Taking back control of our country’ is suggested, but on any visits back to the UK, apart from the ravages of time, it is still basically the same as I left, and the ‘all the foreign criminals’ that are supposed to have entered the country is also offered up initially.
Problem is, when I ask for specific examples I invariably hear Pakistanis and middle eastern nationals blamed, until it is pointed out that they are not European, then it goes silent.
My query as to how being in the EEC negatively directly affects them in their daily lives, also draws a blank, although someone did say that ‘the sausages are not the same now’
Again from afar, I just don’t think the voting public had a Scooby of what they were actually voting for, didn’t think it through, and were lied to big time.
I continue to hope you lot see sense, and like a bride who just before her wedding day who realises she’s has made a huge mistake, calls off the wedding just in time, to everyone’s relief.
My belief that a huge error has been made was reinforced on the weekend when Trump came out in support of you still leaving…that alone should tip the scales..
Whatever you lot eventually finally decide, and when…I wish you well.
Cheers Fred. I believe the majority voted against having our laws made by an unelected cabal in Brussels. That’s as clear as I can be. It was a cross-party vote but its implementation has been politicised.
Good morning I think most of us are suffering from “Brexit Fatigue”
When will the next “Skinner” book be available please.
Hi Gillian. The plan is November. It’s going well.
Must say I feel really disenfranchised as well as disheartened. Listening to the twonks being interviewed on College Green saying it should go back to the people to confirm whether we want May’s deal or to Remain but when asked about other options, oh no we can only pick from sort of remain or complete Remain. What’s the point in ever voting again?
QJ Good Morning. Not surprising that our views on Brexit are the same in all respects, given I have devoured all Skinner has to offer and then felt disappointed because I have to wait for the next book. No doubt no.31 in November will see Brexit still being unfulfilled God forbid. What about No 32 ?
Mr Jardine, I wonder how, in your former job, you would have presented the nonsense in Westminster.
It wouldn’t have arisen. My day was Maggie in her pomp; if she had decided to leave the EU we’d have been gone.
And possibly taken the Germans with us.
Excuse the nom de plume. It was a name of a house I noticed on the outskirts of Carlisle some fifteen or so years ago before the PC fascists demanded it’s removal.
I’ve always wondered if it was a joke as claimed or if the owner was driven to despair.
First time I’ve visited your site for a long time although I still avidly read your Bob Skinner novels.
I’m afraid I took the opposite viewpoint and voted Remain
Naively, after a great deal of soul-searching, I took to history and formed the belief that Scotland as an independent nation would be able to influence the EU as we’ve influenced virtually the rest of the world in the past
Like you though, I’ve seen the light. This bunch of HR numpties in Holyrood couldn’t influence their way out of a paper bag.
And that brings me to my plea.
What would Bob Skinner advise Quintin Jardine to do.
I’ve got a funny feeling he’d say
“C’mon QJ, time to get back in the saddle.
Your Country needs you.
Start a brand new political party, it’s becoming quite the rage.
Call it the ‘Common Sense Party
I’ve got a gut feeling you would clean up at the polls
Ach well one can but dream.
I could not agree further and have concerns about the way our country is going to be run from now on.What would Mr Ritchie of Knowetop thought.
Hi Quintin, attended last Sunday at book festival. Enjoyed it but wasn’t allowed to ask my question (by my wife). I was in the Davie Cooper Suite last Friday, had a nice couple of pints, really enjoyed the game and result. How was your Friday?
More importantly, you suggested more re Oz, when?
I just read cold case, you are amazing, like your politics too, I am an avid reader so look forward to your next book. I can’t thank you and every writer ( I started with the secret seven ) for the enjoyment you give and think how much pressure we put you under to write a book. Thank you for every book you write x