What we need now is some guts in Number 10

The barney over what to do now and who to blame will roll on but a couple of points may be worth thinking about.

Referenda are not about democracy as such since they are not about Government - not yet anyway. What they do is test public opinion. And that informs or should what Government does next. In this case we know that the majority of elected MPs - who really are part of our democracy - are not in favour of leaving the EU. And we also know, or should, that they are charged with doing what is best for Britain - all of it. We can - and clearly are - as cynical about that as we want to be but its is their job and for the vast majority of the time and the members it is truism.

So what do they do now? They have been handed a surprise rejection by it is said 52% to 48%. But if democracy means anything we do need to remember that MORE people failed to vote than voted either way - some 22m sat on their hands. What do we make of that?

Well first, just like our current Government this not a MANDATE from the people - just a very strong view expressed by a very large MINORITY. In fact there has never been a Government elected with more than half the electoral population in support, let alone those who cannot vote.

And that is the really big point here - not only did 22m who could do so NOT vote and may thus be seen as apathetic about IN or OUT but a further 14 million could not vote due to their age. But all of these must live with the result. And that means our elected Government must decide what to do and NOT slavishly follow the referendum vote. That would be gutless, unreasonable and utterly unfair on the non-voting generation.

So the first step MUST be to recall Parliament and start the debate where it matters.

The next is to make clear that while the PREFERRED option by a significant section of the British people is to leave the EU as it now is that is not a mandate to simply cut and run.

With the rest of Europe also at a crossroads the British Government has a strong bargaining position to win the sort of changes in the EU that have long been wanted and frankly needed. Now is the moment to drive for those changes. And when they have been determined may be the moment for a second referendum that is set up in such a way that is can be binding - a 75% turnout and a minimum 60% in favour of one side or the other.

The British people deserve better than to have a relatively small cabal of right-wing and disaffected people decide the future for the vast majority of ordinary, middle of the road people - never mind the 14 million under 18s coming up behind with their future in jeapardy. 

Now is the time for some guts in Number 10.