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Boxers
Boxers

Date with Destiny

by
21st Jun 2016
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This article might make you very angry. However, that is now the nature of the European referendum debate.

A couple of weeks ago, this column featured an article lambasting the dishonesty of most of those involved in the political argy-bargy about our European future - or not.

Once again, the intention of the writer is to remain (an inflammatory word if ever there was one) neutral and try to take a dispassionate view of what must be the most depressing political battle that any of us can remember.

The battle hit fever pitch last week with the unconfirmed possibility that a young mother who had devoted her life to politics became its first martyr.

Long ago, the underlying reason for this referendum disappeared without trace. For those that have forgotten, we are being invited to decide whether Britain benefits from being part of a larger European Union or might prosper as a result of regaining its independence.

On different levels we seem to have one or more of the following as the major trigger for the decision on Thursday.

  1. Nobody on either side seems to know or care about the facts so let’s listen to the person who shouts loudest.
  2. Supporting either David Cameron’s desire to leave a political legacy that would never be forgotten (either way he is certainly going to do that) or Boris Johnson’s ambition to become Prime Minister.
  3. Following the various other politicians, business people and others who are trying to make a name for themselves on both sides of the debate.
  4. The rise of the far right across Europe, embodied in the views of Nigel Farage against the invisibility of those representing the other end of the political spectrum.
  5. The possibility that the economy might collapse if Britain goes it alone against a fear that increased immigration threatens jobs, homes and our very way of being.
  6. Apparently, Londoners with their business and property interests all seem keen to retain the status quo, while those in the regions are as adamant about going in the opposite direction.
  7. Similarly, it appears that following an old Churchill maxim, the young are all for the apparently radical action of doing nothing, while their parents and certainly grandparents wish to take what they see as affirmative action.

Uncertainty is rife. Remarkably, economists who ought to be objective, are fighting amongst themselves, with the majority in the Remain camp.

Strangely, global leaders appear to be unanimous in their view that Britain should stay in Europe, though perhaps some are against but refused to stick their heads above the parapet.

Politicians are now swapping sides with alacrity, including a Baroness who left Leave, even though its representatives seemed unaware that she was in their camp to start with.

Rupert Murdoch-owned newspapers seem to be dividing almost down the middle, although the influential Sun might still carry the day for the Leavers.

However, perhaps the most significant support for Remain has come from a completely unexpected source. While most of us suspect that The Sun makes most of the biggest political decisions in the UK, even outdoing the multinationals, there is one other party that is even more popular.

News that the Premier League and all 20 of its clubs have collectively come out in favour of European Union, presumably because they are fearful of losing most of their best assets, might persuade those who have been following the English/Welsh/Northern Irish efforts in France over the last couple of weeks to make a decision to follow their recommendation.

With all due respect, what started out as a farce and became a tragedy might have reached an unbelievable low point if it is decided on the basis of political lies and fans’ desire to save their football teams from losing key players.

In any event, my final message is not to Vote Leave, not to Vote Remain but please vote in what must surely be the most significant cross that you will ever put into a box on a ballot paper.

Replies (8)

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By North East Accountant
22nd Jun 2016 12:59

Agree everyone should vote, and we are taking our young children to the booth to show them the process.
It was supposed to be a common market and the British people were lied to then that we would lose no sovereignty and look how that has turned out. Both sides are talking a lot of tosh but the simple question is "Do we wish to be ruled by Britain or ruled by 27 other countries?We couldn't trust our politicians then and we can't trust them now to not give our country away.
I am 100% leave.

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By moneymanager
22nd Jun 2016 14:18

I voted to Remain in'75 on the basis of sailor boy's earlier protestations as to sovereingty. He knew, he lied. read "Soverignty and the European Communities fco 30/1048.

Cooperation between equals is quite different to givinf supremacy to an external body with the weight of law and Westminster and our Courts MUST comply where the EU has exclusive competencec(Ha!) or the ECJ has made a ruling.

Read Paul Krugmans post on the NYT of the 12th June, he goes for Remain even though the EU evidences no desure fir change and is DYSFUNCTIONAL.

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By SteveHa
22nd Jun 2016 14:27

I'm not convinced it's even the most significant cross. Unless Parliament goes on to enact the will of the people, it is merely advisory and attaches no legal requirements.

In other words, a vote to leave could still be spinned as a vote to get changes whilst staying, and there's not a damned thing we could do about, other than at the ballot box. In that case, given the cross party divisions, who the hell would you vote for instead?

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By North East Accountant
22nd Jun 2016 16:11

MGD, should be next. Making Government Digital.
Every month the issues are listed and we all can vote electronically, with the government just implementing what the people decide. That would be much more democratic.

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Replying to North East Accountant:
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By pbaxter
22nd Jun 2016 17:48

Seriously? You are advocating multiple referenda each month or is your tongue firmly in your cheek? I do hope so.

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Replying to pbaxter:
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By North East Accountant
23rd Jun 2016 09:05

Indeed it is the latter.

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Replying to North East Accountant:
Tom Herbert
By Tom Herbert
23rd Jun 2016 11:00

The Swiss are big fans of a referendum:

https://www.ch.ch/en/referendum/

Approx four times a year they have mandatory and optional referendums, and they recently voted on (and rejected) a universal basic income for all citizens.

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Replying to TomHerbert:
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By Huw Williams
23rd Jun 2016 11:45

Do you think we would be given the choice of whether we are taxed or not?

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