Page 2 - Enabling National Initiatives to Take Democracy Beyond Elections

2 A Project of the UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF) Surgeons operate on the principle of informed consent. Doctors always respect that it is the patient’s decision to proceed, but we only act on that decision after they have heard from the anesthetist and the surgeon so that they understand their likelihood of recovery, their risk of death, and what the recovery process involves. Only when all of the doctors are satisfied they have comprehended do they act on their decision. In contrast to this Parliament lacks or does not want the ability to get similar informed consent to Brexit from our citizens before proceeding with it, which is why we are in this predicament.” Phillip Lee, Conservative MP, UK Parliament. Former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State responsible for Youth Justice, Victims, Female Offenders & Offender Health at the Ministry of Justice. He resigned from that role in July 2018 citing this need to re-think the way the Brexit process was being approached by the Parliament.