We've got leaflets and headlines and scare tactics flying all over at the moment regarding our place in the EU. Let's face it, the people who talk to us all are generally either one-issue screechers or those with a vested interest in the outcome. None of these people are going to tell us the whole truth, even if they know it themselves. I've got my thoughts about it all but I don't know nearly enough to make a totally informed decision, and I expect that's the situation for all of us!
At the time of writing my vote will be to remain in the EU. This is why.
1) I like having close relationships with our geographical neighbours. Spats such as the Gibraltar issue with Spain will be harder to resolve if we are outside of the club.
2) Easier cooperation with international police forces improves everybody's security. Sure it's not perfect, but it never will be. It's simply better.
3) The period of 'uncertainty' holds one utter certainty... That is that the financial sector and multinationals will be the ones grabbing hold of the promised 'opportunities' and using it to swell their own coffers at the expense of 99.5% of the population. Think about how much our economic growth has affected us so far - not one jot. The promised trickle-down is simply not happening because the monies are being stashed or paid out to the few in the Tory's circle of friends.
4) We import a huge amount from the EU. If we leave we will still import a huge amount from the EU, but it will be more expensive. Can you really see countries like France, Italy and Spain giving us the same benefits to trade we have now? They'll shaft us like we were Englebert Humperdinck in Eurovision. The upshot of this is that the cost of living will rise yet again, the govt will tax imports more highly and our exports will be subject to tariffs making them more expensive on the continent and therefore harder to sell. We have virtually no manufacturing industry worth speaking of to maintain internal supply strong enough to meet demand.
5) Our border is already the best protected in the EU by virtue of us being an island. Our border security will not significantly change in or out of the EU.
6) The European Space Agency. It's cool. Would this be affected? I don't know, but I'd like to remain a part of it.
7) If we left we would be able to structure and implement all our own laws without having to answer to any other nation. Given what the Tories have been up to, do we really want that autonomy in their hands?
8) Scientific and cultural exchange is a good thing that the EU facilitates. It would still go on outside the EU, sure, but not as easily.
9) I don't want to be more reliant on the USA. Our dependency on them would naturally increase if we left the EU and if they were to trigger/suffer another financial collapse it would be FAR preferable to have an EU safety net to minimise the impact. President Trump anyone?
Well done if you read all that! Any thoughts, rebuttals etc welcomed, because I know there will be many things that I have not thought of.
