One of the main issues of the Brexit referendum was the fact that no one really knew what would happen whether they voted leave or remain. What’s terrifying is that two years later, it still feels that not only are we confused, but those in power are just as clueless as we are.

Neither side of the Brexit debate appears willing to compromise for fear of betraying their political agenda, which is given priority over people who will potentially suffer at the hands of this deal. There’s a quiet arrogance around British politics, an expectation that as Britain, we are somehow entitled to the best deal. By deciding to leave the EU Britain broke a contract, for which there are always ramifications. Yet people are outraged by the possibility that Britain may be denied what we see as best for us. We are not entitled to anything. The idea that we can leave the European Union and yet still demand all of the benefits of being part of it, is ridiculous and dangerous.

I remember the first time I saw a video from the House of Commons and how I was shocked that politicians were talking over, shouting at and even mocking each other. I was reminded of this recently when Theresa May was laughed at in the House of Commons after saying that we will leave the EU in a smooth and orderly way. As laughable as her suggestion that this will be an easy transition may be, the fact that those in power openly jeer at the Prime Minister, I find deeply disturbing. These actions legitimise the refusal of so many to entertain the views of another, to merely scoff at them instead, which is indicative of the wider issue of opinion-based ‘facts’.

Two years later, there is still no clear communication or understanding about our options for the future. The culture of simply hating the opposition, rather than seeking to understand an opinion which varies from your own, deprives us of fact and divides us at a time when we really need to be united.

Tasha Austen