Well I have avoided the subject so far, but there comes a point when you have to say something. I have to state at the outset that the concept of Britain leaving Europe is strange to me, I have visions of someone pulling up the country's anchor and setting course for a new destination. Of course I know that we speak of the European union, not Europe itself but still I find myself asking why.
I am of course biased, I have have taken advantage of Britain being part of the European union to bag myself a better life style. I do not want to see my lifestyle threatened because Britain has decided to pick up its ball and leave the playground. I am not alone, Over the life of the European Union more Brits have lived and worked in other European country's than the citizens of any other single nation. The fact that we call ourselves ex pats and not immigrants should not be allowed to blur the facts.
Despite my bias I am willing to be be persuaded that Britain should leave if anyone can come up with a really compelling reason. I am neither an economist nor a political annalist and I don´t like (the politics of) either David Cameron or Boris Johnson. So it needs to be a pretty down to earth reason.
So that leaves me with varying European views, The best boiling down to 'It makes little difference to us really, if Britain thinks she can go it alone so be it,we think Britain will be weaker though.' the worst being ' Britain leaving could spark another economic crisis and create an ideal breeding ground for racism and politics of the far right' a situation which I am classing as bad but of course if you are a right wing racist it is good.
And the varying British views, There are more of these understandably it is a British referendum after all. The best of these is something along the lines of immigration into Britain will end and Britain will somehow trade on advantageous terms not only with Europe but with all former countries of the British Empire. Democracy will be restored as as the European Commission is un-elected. Britain will be wildly better off by not having to pay money to Europe.The national health service and benefits system will be saved.There is also more than a suggestion that the European union will cease to exist if Britain leaves as Britain provided the stabilizing voice. The worst being that Britain will face ten years of uncertainty.
No-one in or out of Europe thinks that the current union is perfect.
I have heard much rhetoric about Democracy in Europe but cannot get past the House of Lords which is about the least democratic parliamentary body in any democratic country(pot calling kettle black)
Despite Britain having a high view of its own importance can such a small country really have a meaningful voice in international trade?
Immigration is not about Border control and it is not always a bad thing.( Of course as an immigrant myself I am bound to think that, statistics do back me up though) It is something which requires more international dialogue and negotiation though, not less, surely the European Parliament is an ideal place for that dialogue to take place. I personally have always been proud that Britain is multicultural and am sad that immigration policy appears to be getting more and more racist.
Of course there is the simple fact that I want to have my cake and eat it I love living here in Spain and am proud of being British.
I am of course biased, I have have taken advantage of Britain being part of the European union to bag myself a better life style. I do not want to see my lifestyle threatened because Britain has decided to pick up its ball and leave the playground. I am not alone, Over the life of the European Union more Brits have lived and worked in other European country's than the citizens of any other single nation. The fact that we call ourselves ex pats and not immigrants should not be allowed to blur the facts.
Despite my bias I am willing to be be persuaded that Britain should leave if anyone can come up with a really compelling reason. I am neither an economist nor a political annalist and I don´t like (the politics of) either David Cameron or Boris Johnson. So it needs to be a pretty down to earth reason.
So that leaves me with varying European views, The best boiling down to 'It makes little difference to us really, if Britain thinks she can go it alone so be it,we think Britain will be weaker though.' the worst being ' Britain leaving could spark another economic crisis and create an ideal breeding ground for racism and politics of the far right' a situation which I am classing as bad but of course if you are a right wing racist it is good.
And the varying British views, There are more of these understandably it is a British referendum after all. The best of these is something along the lines of immigration into Britain will end and Britain will somehow trade on advantageous terms not only with Europe but with all former countries of the British Empire. Democracy will be restored as as the European Commission is un-elected. Britain will be wildly better off by not having to pay money to Europe.The national health service and benefits system will be saved.There is also more than a suggestion that the European union will cease to exist if Britain leaves as Britain provided the stabilizing voice. The worst being that Britain will face ten years of uncertainty.
No-one in or out of Europe thinks that the current union is perfect.
I have heard much rhetoric about Democracy in Europe but cannot get past the House of Lords which is about the least democratic parliamentary body in any democratic country(pot calling kettle black)
Despite Britain having a high view of its own importance can such a small country really have a meaningful voice in international trade?
Immigration is not about Border control and it is not always a bad thing.( Of course as an immigrant myself I am bound to think that, statistics do back me up though) It is something which requires more international dialogue and negotiation though, not less, surely the European Parliament is an ideal place for that dialogue to take place. I personally have always been proud that Britain is multicultural and am sad that immigration policy appears to be getting more and more racist.
Of course there is the simple fact that I want to have my cake and eat it I love living here in Spain and am proud of being British.
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