So Britain has delivered it's verdict- a win for Brexit, ending over 40 years association between the United Kingdom and the European Union (previously the European Economic Community).
Families and friendships alike have all been tested up and down the country. What struck me the most as I woke up yesterday morning, was how divided we are as a nation, with all sorts of things kicking off on social media.
The divisions go beyond a country almost split in half, and divides between different nations and regions of the UK in the way they voted in the EU Referendum.
Our multi-party democracy is being suppressed by an electoral system designed to maintain a two-party duopoly. It can be seen from recent elections over the past year and a bit, that different regions of the UK are also being dominated by different parties.
As we seek to bring everyone together, we must seek to renew a common faith in the democratic process. For many people, election time brings apathy.
The same cannot be said of the EU Referendum. As a supporter of Remain, it may surprise some that I found the words of one Pro-Brexit former Conservative Defence Secretary to be inspirational.
The chap in question is Dr Liam Fox, who twice went on record during the campaign to speak about how every vote would count equally in this referendum.
Quite clearly every vote does not count equally under Britain's First Past The Post electoral system, especially when one takes into account that David Cameron indicated it would be voters in just 23 constituencies who would decide last year's general election.
Of course there are advantages and disadvantages to all electoral systems. However, the aim should be that every vote should be equal as best as it is possible to deliver.
Consequently, the turnout on Thursday was bigger than last year's election, and was Britain's highest turnout at the polls since 1992.
Comparing the turnout in the 1975 EEC Referendum to the two general elections in 1974, it was the referendum which delivered the lower turnout.
The turnaround now showing the 2016 Referendum to produce a higher turnout than a recent general election, provides further credence that the electoral system is no longer fit for purpose in the modern day.
Political Reform does not end with reforming the voting system. With the "unelected" European Commission out of the firing line, there will soon be no hiding place for Britain's unelected second chamber, the House of Lords.
If any country wishes to present itself as a democracy, then what place does a huge legislative assembly made up of Bishops and cronies of Prime Ministers etc have?
I didn't want Brexit. But I do believe that the ramifications of the people's decision is set to unleash further change, and I am hopeful that it will be Democracy itself (not Dr Fox and other senior Leave figures) that will ultimately prove to be the winner.
Families and friendships alike have all been tested up and down the country. What struck me the most as I woke up yesterday morning, was how divided we are as a nation, with all sorts of things kicking off on social media.
The divisions go beyond a country almost split in half, and divides between different nations and regions of the UK in the way they voted in the EU Referendum.
Our multi-party democracy is being suppressed by an electoral system designed to maintain a two-party duopoly. It can be seen from recent elections over the past year and a bit, that different regions of the UK are also being dominated by different parties.
As we seek to bring everyone together, we must seek to renew a common faith in the democratic process. For many people, election time brings apathy.
The same cannot be said of the EU Referendum. As a supporter of Remain, it may surprise some that I found the words of one Pro-Brexit former Conservative Defence Secretary to be inspirational.
The chap in question is Dr Liam Fox, who twice went on record during the campaign to speak about how every vote would count equally in this referendum.
Quite clearly every vote does not count equally under Britain's First Past The Post electoral system, especially when one takes into account that David Cameron indicated it would be voters in just 23 constituencies who would decide last year's general election.
Of course there are advantages and disadvantages to all electoral systems. However, the aim should be that every vote should be equal as best as it is possible to deliver.
Consequently, the turnout on Thursday was bigger than last year's election, and was Britain's highest turnout at the polls since 1992.
Comparing the turnout in the 1975 EEC Referendum to the two general elections in 1974, it was the referendum which delivered the lower turnout.
The turnaround now showing the 2016 Referendum to produce a higher turnout than a recent general election, provides further credence that the electoral system is no longer fit for purpose in the modern day.
Political Reform does not end with reforming the voting system. With the "unelected" European Commission out of the firing line, there will soon be no hiding place for Britain's unelected second chamber, the House of Lords.
If any country wishes to present itself as a democracy, then what place does a huge legislative assembly made up of Bishops and cronies of Prime Ministers etc have?
I didn't want Brexit. But I do believe that the ramifications of the people's decision is set to unleash further change, and I am hopeful that it will be Democracy itself (not Dr Fox and other senior Leave figures) that will ultimately prove to be the winner.
