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Brexit: Recovery of Sovereignty or Loss or Rights? - Geoffrey Nice

3,015 views · Published 18 October 2018 · 55:35 · Indexed 27 September 2026

Channel: Gresham College · 2018 · Education

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00:00 // Introduction & The Rabbi's Parable
02:30 // The Two Houses: A Metaphor for Brexit Britain
05:00 // Was the Referendum Even Necessary?
07:30 // How Politicians Failed to Design It Properly
10:00 // The Case for a Two-Stage Referendum
13:00 // The Problem: No Neutral Information for Voters
16:00 // Sovereignty — A Misunderstood Concept
19:30 // The Dangers of Political Language & Jo Cox
22:00 // Counting the Real Costs: Itemising Sovereignty
26:00 // Former Yugoslavia & The Lessons for Britain
29:30 // Conclusion: Which House Will We Live In?

Was Brexit (the 2016 referendum) argued on the basis of accurate information fairly presented? Slogans were, and may always be, better at gathering votes. With the reality of Brexit a few months away, a sober look at what we actually gain or lose is needed in two areas: What is sovereignty of an island like our own?

Could we draw a line round the coast line (and the Irish border) and contain and control all that is inside? And what of rights within that line? Can they all be home grown and nationally defined? Are we indeed an island?

Prior to the referendum, on 26th May 2016, we hosted a debate chaired by Sir Richard Evans with Daniel Hodson and Matthew Elliott on the Leave side and Sir Geoffrey Nice QC and Dominic Grieve QC MP on the Remain side.

This lecture was recorded bySir Geoffrey Nice KC on the 9th of March 2018

Sir Geoffrey Nice KC has practised as a barrister since 1971.  He worked at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia – the ICTY – between 1998 and 2006 and led the prosecution of Slobodan Milošević, former President of Serbia.

Much of his work since has been connected to cases before the permanent International Criminal Court – Sudan, Kenya, Libya – or  pro bono for victims groups – Iran, Burma, North Korea – whose cases cannot get to any international court.  He works for several related NGO’s and lectures and commentates in the media in various countries on international war crimes issues.  He has been a part-time judge since 1984 sitting at the Old Bailey and has sat as judge in other jurisdictions, tribunals and inquiries.  Between 2009 and 2012 he was Vice-Chair of the Bar Standards Board, the body that regulates barristers.

The transcript of the lecture is available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/brexit-sovereignty-or-loss-rights

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