ONE of the difficulties in making binary choices through referenda – especially in politics – is that outcomes can be divisive.

This applies both to the referendum on the European Union and the vote on Scottish independence back in 2014. Ironically, these two decisions are now interlinked.

Binary choices present challenges in terms of implementation. Nobody seriously argues for a strategy to ignore the result of the referendum last year on the European Union – the United Kingdom is leaving it within two years – but there is a need to bring the two sides together as we progress through the negotiations and prepare for ‘independence’.

For these reasons, it is essential for views of all sorts to be taken into account. In the Valleys and Vale this process takes the form of an online survey and various opportunities for formal and informal consultations.

Significant questions about a range of economic, political, social and constitutional matters need to be answered through understanding the implications a local, business and even family level.

Another requirement is to consider more long term themes. By leaving the European Union we will not be leaving Europe as a continent, not least because it is geographically impossible but also because trade links of some sort will need to be agreed.

This is why relationships with the European Union and the remaining twenty seven member states should be based on mutual trust and self-interest.

Modern Europe is about helping to craft the relationships we need to have as we disengage from the world’s largest and freest free trade area.

The situation with Scotland’s desire for independence is rather different. Since the last referendum in Scotland there has been a material change in the constitutional outlook so the question in Edinburgh and London is more about understanding economic interests.

England (and Wales) seems set for one course but Scotland is still restless.