Geoff Norcott: Geofferendum

As a believer in democracy – and as someone who was on the winning side of the Brexit referendum – Geoff Norcott generally believes that if we, the people, vote for something, that thing should happen. But are there limits to Geoff’s belief in populism, as this is now sometimes called? For example, opinion polls suggest that if there were to be a referendum on the death penalty, it would be brought back, despite disputes over its effectiveness. In America the individual right to an abortion has been taken away from women “democratically” in some states, something Geoff views as abhorrent (not to mention unconservative). And there’s little doubt that if every new building had to be democratically approved, the United Kingdom may never build another house. Geoff will see where his audience land on these issues, and work out if they – and he – actually have democratic principles at heart, or if they just want the world to be arranged the way they like it, no matter how inconsistent that might be. Written and performed by Geoff Norcott Produced by Ed Morrish Executive Producer: Caroline Raphael Sound Engineer: David Thomas Broadcast Assistant: Jacob Tombling A Pier production for BBC Radio 4