The EU Referendum and a plea to voters

At this point of the referendum campaign most of us will have decided how to vote on 23^rd June.  Some of us, at this late stage, will still be undecided but that is a right just as long as you do decide and actually vote.  To remain, or to leave, that is the question.

How Europe and Britain’s relationship with Europe looks today will influence how we vote but it should not be the single overriding influence.  What is of equal, if not greater importance, is what Britain will be like either in or out of the EU following the referendum.  Not next year but in five, ten, fifteen even twenty five years from now; a generation ahead.  Do we really want that generation to reflect on this one momentous decision and ask ‘Why?’  Our duties and responsibilities as voters on 23^rd June are not only to serve our self- interests of today but to take a longer strategic view and make a decision that will be of benefit to subsequent generations. 

Whatever our individual choices on the day we must not allow ourselves to be influenced by the screaming soundbites from politicians and headlines from the media that cry out for our attention advertising their own agendas.  Look for ourselves as objectively as we can at both sides of the argument, then make a decision based on our own agendas before exercising our right to vote.

There are also those of us who are on the electoral roll who have decided not to vote.  ‘My vote won’t make any difference’, ‘Don’t know what the issues are’ or worst of all ‘I can’t be bothered’.  These people are turning their backs on history reaching back to the Magna Carta recognised as the foundation of our present day democracy. They are washing their hands of the blood that has been spilt as recently as seventy years ago to secure and maintain the right to put a cross on a ballot paper.  For goodness sake, lift yourselves from that sofa of apathy that is padded with the cushions of indifference and vote. Otherwise, you have forfeited your right to moan and groan about how things are after 23^rd June. 

NOTE: This is a draft of a letter being submitted to our local paper which will be published on 8th June 2016.