EUROPEAN UNION

Local politicians must take the lead in uniting communities

Given the febrile atmosphere that surrounds public debate in the run-up to 29 March, local politicians must take the lead and work with partners to bring communities together, says Claire Kober.

Since Parliament's ‘meaningful vote' rejected the Prime Minister's proposed Brexit deal, I've faced each day with a growing sense of trepidation. I've never been the gambling type – the idea of staking something valuable on an all or nothing bet has always been anathema to me. The stakes couldn't be much higher: the future economic prosperity of the country, our place on the world stage and reputation as an open and tolerant nation. Yet suddenly the prospect of the worst possible outcome – crashing out of the EU on 29 March without a deal – is looking more likely. Time is running out and yet, across the political spectrum, many of our national politicians have little idea what comes next, let alone a route map out of the impasse.

As a devout Remainer, living in a borough and a city where the majority voted Remain, it would be easy for me to think about what happens now from a purely self-indulgent perspective. I would be happy to turn the clock back to 23 June 2016 and pretend the country had not voted to leave the EU. I suspect Leave supporters, living in areas where the majority voted for Brexit, feel an equivalent level of frustration – that in two years we've not settled on a deal and negotiated our exit.

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