Three days to go – finalish thoughts on the Referendum

by danielbarker on 20 June, 2016

Tim Farron said recently – I am fed up with the anger and the hatred. It’s gone on for too long. I am a passionate believer that being part of Europe is better for our country, yet this debate has been suffocated by ego and dirty politics.

From what I have heard people say recently, I think many agree with him. People are tired of claims and counter-claims that have no solid facts behind them. They are tired of scaremongering on both sides. My feeling is that the most positive side in these last few days will be the side that wins it. Yes, as someone who favours ‘remain’, giving up on negative arguments means laying down possibly the most powerful weapon at our disposal – fear of economic failure outside the EU. Others may wish to continue brandishing this, to cling to ‘it’s the economy stupid’ which worked so well for Bill Cilnton in the 90s. I however feel that people have stopped listening to dire predictions of what will happen either way – they’ve already heard it and mentally filed it under the ‘probably not true’ category in reasons to vote one way or the other.

So instead I think we need to concentrate on solid facts and positive reasons for staying in the EU. Being in the EU means we have the opportunity to learn, live and work abroad without giving up our UK citizenship. It means that instead of fighting with Germany or France (as we have so often in our history) we can discuss with them the problems we have and work out solutions. It means we have access to the single market and our businesses can sell their goods to millions of people outside our domestic market. It means we can work at an appropriate international level on the international problems we face; climate change and environmental pollution, threats to security from foregn nations, international crime and yes migration and refugees.

I’m sure many people out there would be able to name many other kinds of international co-operation that goes on because of the EU, and the one negative argument I would make is that not ALL of this would come to an end if the leave the EU, but there is an increased risk that most of it would come to an end. When people come to vote, they should ask themselves if that’s a risk they are willing to take.

No, the EU is not perfect, but together we can use a remain vote to push for change, to particularly make it more democratic. On balance I feel the good things we have in the EU outweigh the bad, and that’s a good enough reason than any to vote ‘remain’.

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