WHILE we laud parliament as the mother of democracies, for most of its existence it has been a very selective democracy. 

In the mid 1800s, ‘democracy’ was a vote by just one in seven males.

Only since 1928 when women over 21 years got the vote did the country get true democracy. Regrettably, from the 1980s the erosion of democracy has been a feature of British political life, starting with the new-fangled QUANGOs that were created because politicians did not want to answer directly for their decisions.

Then the House of Lords, deeply flawed by inherited title, was ‘reformed’ by its replacement with a system of patronage to the mediocre and their obligations to their patrons. 

The ‘reform’ has been more flawed than the original. Shamefully, putting this right was blocked by the Con-Lib-Dem government.

The transfer of parliamentary authority to Brussels, a structure with a faux parliament, meant that elected politicians could blame everything on someone else and absolve themselves of responsibility, while still drawing the salary that presumed responsibility.

The creation of the Supreme Court removed what was the oversight by the Lords of the judiciary, potentially leaving the judiciary as the new King James with absolute authority.

The ordinary voters care little for the niceties of democracy as long as their daily lot improves and life is good. That all changes when they become the fodder for the ambitions of politicians.

In his resignation speech, the Italian PM Matteo Renzi called for resistance to populism. That echoes calls by Tony Blair, David Attenborough, and others.

In truth it is a call to resist democracy on the basis that the ordinary voter is ignorant. Therein is the demise of the EU.

I expect that the Supreme Court will re-affirm the supremacy of parliament. On one hand, that decision will leave the Brexit decision diluted and unresolved, with all the economic damage from uncertainty that will follow.

Of course the court may be well aware that it is precipitating a constitutional crises, with the aim of restoring democracy.

"Brace, brace, brace.”

But if activist Remainers believe that a victory will be the end of the matter, they understand nothing. Until the boil of democratic refutation is lanced, it will not go away.

James Anderson, South Wonston.