I read your article on Brexit or Bremain with interest and, without wishing to sound patronising, it was extremely well written. On the question should the vote be left to politicians I note one respondent on your web site. In my view there are exceptional cases where a referendum is justified. Such cases include moral dilemmas but also other important issues which can have a profound effect on our lives. Continued membership of the EU is a particularly good candidate for a referendum for the following reasons i) the changing nature of the organisation since initially joining, ii) the diminution of sovereignty, iii) a “bitterly divided” population, (iv) a long-standing issue. That said it’s still a difficult call as to what should and should not be left to politicians. Unfortunately there are politicians with vested interests and some that are out of touch with the public.
Certainly the information to help people decide is out there, it’s more a question of being able to see it and see through it.
I support the Leave camp for a number of reasons but primarily because I believe in sovereignty and the nation state. However stable communities is another consideration. I’m also environmentally conscious. To add to this:
Energy Prices. We are unable to satisfactorily meet our energy needs. The situation is getting desperate hence the present arrangements for the new, incredibly expensive, nuclear power station at Hinckley Point. An increasing population places additional demands on the power utilities and leads to higher energy prices at home and in the workplace. As a consequence industry is less competitive which puts jobs under threat.
Land Space. An increasing population means greater pollution, which comes at a time when landfill is at a premium. The UK could face hundreds of millions of pounds in EU fines as a result of its poor air quality, diesel vehicle emissions being a significant contributor. Technological fixes alone are not enough. We need to control our borders. The situation does not augur well for the future when the adverse effects of man-made climate change are taken into account.
An Unreformable EU. Too many inners say we should stay and reform the EU from within. It is unreformable.
Opportunities for the Young. The current EU Free Movement of People policy is destabilising communities, penalises the indigenous population, encourages a low wage economy, and can bring absolute misery to some. We should not be depriving our young people of the opportunity to work by being part of an Anything Goes Free Movement policy.
Workers’ Rights in the EU. There is a prevailing view that on leaving the EU workers’ rights will be jeopardised. The Equal Pay Act, the Sex Discrimination Act, health and safety legislation and maternity leave legislation had nothing to do with the EU. The EU Working Time Directive legislates for 20 days holiday whereas we have 28 days. EU law will not offer protection from David Cameron’s Trade Union Bill. According to one source “The EU has become a disaster for the collective rights of workers and their trade unions.”
The Eurozone and the EU Superstate. We should not forget the appalling mismanagement of economic and monetary union by EU officials and their pipe dream of a European superstate. The migrant crisis has exposed fault lines between member states that cannot be resolved. Leaders of the EU have sought to sweep all before them in a rush to ever greater union regardless of public sentiment and do not deserve the support of the British people. There has to be a better way for civilised people to work together.
Yours sincerely
Colin Williams
