If you asked me right now which way I am voting the answer would be leave. As in I want to leave the UK right now and come back on June 24th when it is all over. You can’t move for column inches in the press and for live debates on the TV. And quite frankly I am sick of it all.
A month ago I genuinely didn’t know which way I wanted to vote, it wasn’t something I had ever really thought about. We were just in the EU and I hadn’t considered the idea that it was something we could decide to change. I was open to hearing both sides put their argument across, and to then form my opinion based on what I felt was the right choice.
After all, that is what a democracy is about isn’t it? We all exercise our choice to vote for who we believe represents our ideals.
The problem is that this referendum is offering us the chance to do something we don’t really know about and the consequences of which are mostly unknown. When you ask the question “but what will actually happen when we leave the EU” nobody can give you any facts. They can’t say for certain what will happen.
There is talk of trade suffering, house prices crashing, jobs lost etc but actually nobody knows for sure that will happen. So to an extent voting leave is a vote for uncertainty. But then change is good. Isn’t it?
But I am one of the “if it aint broke don’t fix it” camp. Though I also accept that to a degree Britain is broken and something needs to change. I am just not sure leaving the EU is actually it.
I want information on what being a part of the EU means in real terms. And what it means if we leave. But finding any real information about this is proving harder and harder.
I watched the debate on TV the other night with Farage and Cameron, with an open mind. I can’t stand either of them and have such a hatred of discussing politics in our house because we all get really angry, that normally I would hit the off button on the remote. Over this though I wanted to hear what they had to say. Which was a mistake.
The questions are pre-vetted, the responses scripted, the audience are looking for their moment to tackle the minister in front of them. There is no debate. It is posturing on the part of the politician and for the person asking the question it is likely to be the only chance they ever get to make their voice heard so they don’t listen to the response but continue to ask questions.
And it all boils down to immigration.
Farage’s entire stance over this referendum, as with all things, is about immigration
Problems with the NHS? Oh that’s down to immigration. Either because we are treating too many migrants, or without them we have no staff.
The chap who told Cameron he didn’t have a GP and was living in one room with his family? When the press printed the story the following day it was all down to migrants taking all the jobs.
Last night on Newsnight two passionate campaigners were sent to discuss their views with voters. Roland Rudd went to Wolverhampton and Suzanne Evans to Hampstead. One of the families Rudd talked to discussed how her daughter isn’t able to “buy a bigger house” and how she worries how her grandchildren won’t be able to afford a house at all.
Now call me naive but why is that related to the referendum? Why is that being discussed during discussions about the referendum?
Is it because she believes being a part of the EU is what is causing house prices to rise? Or is it because of migrants there is not enough supply? (a suggestion I strongly disagree with I might add).
Do we need to build more houses to push the prices down? To increase supply?
Great idea.
Cut to next interview and it is Suzanne Evans talking to a builder who says without migrant workers the construction industry will collapse.
So if that happens where are the new houses?
This whole debate is not a debate about the referendum anymore. It is about migrants
And all I have seen so far is that this is a vote for the tories if you vote stay, and a vote for UKIP if you leave. I have no idea what is happening with labour because I haven’t seen Corbyn say a word.
We haven’t heard facts, we have heard politicians giving us what they claim to be facts. But they aren’t facts about what will actually happen if we leave because we don’t really know what those facts are. Nobody has left the EU before, so really don’t know what will happen, how other countries will treat us.
I think that means we now run the real risk of people voting leave just because UKIP have got the biggest mouths and because to vote leave is a vote against Cameron who wants us to stay.
If Dave loses this it is unlikely he will remain as Prime Minister and I think for some that might be too delicious a notion to vote for us to stay.
Which leaves us out in the cold for all the wrong reasons.
It’s all very confusing & I really don’t know which way would be best, as like you say, nobody knows what will happen if we leave (or even if we stay) I do think that the best arguments (both for & against) have been the ones put forward by non politicians as I’m more inclined to believe what they’re saying, and they have the best interests of their own families & employees at heart, rather than just themselves.
I’m swaying towards the leave camp, but I’m not a risk taker so it scares the hell out of me…
None of us – apart from Frau Merkel’s mob and Monsieur Hollande’s host – are happy with all aspects of this monstrous club.
The Germans perhaps see their ascendancy as a bloodless conquest after two frightful failures.
The French see this as a way of giving Les Rosbifs a finger in the eye – particularly those rascally but very savvy fellows in the City whose expertise lubricates world commerce to a large extent – also those who caused the Meridian to run through Greenwich, etc., etc.,
The Krauts like working – and swanking about the fact – the Frogs like striking especially if UK interests are affected.
Things need to change!
IN or OUT?
OUT – we can grumble through the tent wall
IN – we can at least have a go!
Question is – is it worth it?
Heads or Tails?
I love this post Tanya and I feel your frustration. After much reading and discussion I’m in the Remain camp, and I feel so strongly about it I’ve had to arrange a vote by proxy because I won’t be back from Sierra Leone in time to vote myself. I hate all the posturing and the blatant lies being told in this debate. And yes, I’m disappointed by Corbyn’s lack of voice on it all – although I think that may be just as much his inability to court the press as his own opinions on the subject.
What I don’t like is the fact that whatever your choice is you get attacked for it and the whole “how COULD you?” shouting match.
People will vote in and people will vote out, I just hope they make their vote from an informed position (which granted is very hard to do given that where ever you read about it the writer will have some bias or other). I know this because I have really tried to be informed about it and it’s hard to find the non-shrieking rhetoric.
Also, if we vote out Cameron can’t stay which many will cheer about but to be honest the alternatives scare me too – Boris Johnson and Cove look like the main contenders to step in; JEEZ!
It is so true, and so angering to me, that there seem to be no facts over any of this. The politicians are just spewing guesses as if they’re facts, project fear rules on both sides and it makes me so frustrated and mad.
Such a mess! Here’s my thoughts on all the silliness (in a tongue-in-cheek way of course): Brexit vote decisions based on whichever bollocks prediction is less unbelievable –
Remarkably insightful Tanya! Isn’t this just exactly what’s happened?! If you ask me, there should never have been a referendum in the first place… Isn’t this kind of decision the reason we elect a government? To make informed decisions for us?! Gah!
I like that we as the people have been given the opportunity but it is for all the wrong reasons. Cameron did it as he never thought we would vote leave and he saw it as the only way to secure another term in office. Boris voted leave and led the leave party as he thought if he won he could be PM but he didnt actually think he would win. So it is for all the wrong reasons. Based on lies and egos.
it really is a shabby mess.