More than three years after the EU referendum, people in the UK reportedly identify as ‘remainers’ or ‘brexiteers’ more strongly than ever. Activists on both sides have become increasingly intransigent, as have many politicians, endorsing positions that seek to ‘cancel Brexit’ or implement it at any cost. Extreme language has inflamed debate, while both sides claim moral authority by evoking ‘the people.’ Positions that try to respect different perspectives are ridiculed. Was this inevitable?
At Skills Network (our women’s co-operative in south London), members have very different positions on Brexit, but they haven’t led to the entrenched divisions seen on the national stage. We believe this is largely because using consensus decision-making approaches has helped us avoid a ‘winner takes all’ mentality.
Consensus decision-making is committed to finding solutions that everyone can live with. It requires conscious effort, but can eventually become a habit. We believe it can enable people to hear opposing views more effectively. Here are three reasons why:
