INTRODUCTION
Only a few weeks ago I doubted I would ever see Britain Trump the level of hyperbole, dishonesty and hate in USA politics but it seems all too obvious we have. Deliberate creation of Fear or Greed on both sides of the argument via threats and promises. Most projecting forecasts as facts when no-on can ever predict the future with certainty. Promises and threats from those without the political power to deliver - for not even ministers in a sorely divided Government can do that.
Since writing this section I have to include the tragic news of the killing by stabbing and shooting of the young, highly principled MP, Jo Cox, quite possibly resulting from hate stirred by this campaign in a mentally unstable person.
More of the big issues of the current campaign which I deem to be related to TRADE and ECONOMICS, MIGRATION, POLITICS and the prospects of REFORM of the EU.
TRADE and ECONOMICS
What will happen to trade with Europe? For me the one undeniable certainty is there will be substantial risk and a period of uncertainty if we vote to leave. Trade with Europe may recover but seems unlikely to be fully restored given the increased degree of hostility from many of our jilted European partners and manufactures like the Japanese car makers who came here for easy access to European markets.
Trade with the rest of the world may improve. It has to for any net gains to the UK exports will have to come from this area. These days with little manufacturing industry left we have nothing to offer bar the financial clout of the City of London. A British Isles full of tax havens and a world leading expertise of accountants skilled in imparting methods of avoiding tax.
The vast majority of experts seem to be convinced that it would be a financial tragedy to leave, but then they would be in favour of the sitting Prime Minister wouldn't they? That however doesn't mean they are wrong, although very anti both sides of Project Fear I think they are probably right. There is a though a plausible alternative view though it may well take time to establish.
For all the who-ha this issue, dominated by FEAR, is not the vital one for me.
MIGRATION
Adds YOUTH, DYNAMISM and BREADTH to a Society. It is Good and NEEDS a POSITIVE RESPONSE.
This item will not go away whether we are in the EU or not. We now live in a rapidly expanding very unequal world already of 7 Billion people of which the UK form less than one percent. Many will want understandably to move country or continents for financial gain. Add to that the huge outflow escaping the major war zone that is today's Middle East, for which region's current instability the USA, UK, France and Russia arguably own much of the blame.
Just turned 21 in 1956 I emigrated to Canada because I was offered over three times the starting salary on offer to a newly qualified graduate engineer in the UK. No doubt Canada was as pleased to see me as we have been to accept expensively trained doctors or trained nurses from India the Philippines or Europe. In all cases, including my own, it denudes the country of origin of the benefits of education in their populations.The much vaunted Points System of Australia and Canada is designed with that prime aim.
Salaries are a major factor especially for the young, but those who choose to emigrate in a fresh start are characterized by courage and healthy ambition. In my case I initially faced loneliness for a few months without a close friend for the first and only time in my life, the loss of family and a lifestyle dominated by playing Rugby and Cricket (captain of university and school respectively).
Of a TOTALLY DIFFERENT NATURE to economic migration are the REFUGEES fleeing war and wholesale destruction of the fabric of their lives in the Middle East. Our national response, government and populace, to this tragedy is to wash our hands of our responsibility to help refugees. A response of which I am ashamed. I applaud the generous welcome given by Angela Merkel, and deplore the lack of support from other leaders for which she is now paying a party political price in her own country.
Elimination of borders worked extremely well in Europe for years until strained to breaking point by the uncontrollable influx of refugees from the Middle East. Followed it must be said by economic migrants from Africa jumping on the bandwagon once it became apparent to all that such determined mass flows could not be stopped.
Equally freedom of movement across the borders went well, our eldest son moved to France over twenty years ago and his family though nominally British from their dad's side are French speaking, though bilingual. Freedom of Movement was a two way process in reasonable balance. The problems of Economic Migration were not highlighted until the over rapid expansion of the EU into the much poorer countries of Eastern Europe. The expansion was driven by the markedly different prosperity of the two regions, financial and political. Britain was the first to suffer the strain, though I have encountered little but praise of the Poles who opened the flood gates. In time such flows will reduce naturally as lifestyles across Europe become more alike. But for the moment the unmanaged surge is causing huge problems.
POLITICS
Freedom of movement like the elimination of borders and the single currency and the inclusion of other countries were all laudable essential aims in trying to achieve a cohesive continent. But for different reasons each has come under huge pressure from events, none more so than freedom of movement combined with the over rapid expansion of nation states within the EU. We should be glad that Gordon Brown kept us out of the Euro, for he alone in Blair's pro-Europe Labour government saw the deficiencies in the lack of the structure needed to encompass countries with widely differing economies.
Thus today we have Greece still being offered bail outs which increase debts they will never be able to repay, when what is needed is a debt write off, a helping hand to give them a chance. Portugal, Spain, Ireland and Italy have suffered too. Youth unemployment is huge across the continent, and that includes France. There are huge real problems to sort but this does not rule out a highly satisfactory outcome to vital aims with huge potential benefits.
Dangerous political instability, almost hysteria is visible in America, Europe and the Middle East. Some extreme right wing others left wing, far to few politicians arguing rationally and calmly. This is not the right time fragment Europe with too many countries seeking the best for its own people, and damn the rest.
Surely few would argue with the value coming out of the 1939-45 war of France and Germany determined to work together to create a united Europe. That was an era of politicians deserving of great credit and a heart felt vote of thanks.
But Britain was very late to join in and has always tried to minimise our political involvement. Europe needs us, I believe we have far more to gain by being IN than a strong Britain can achieve on its own. Lets vote IN and work to improve our continent not just ourselves. Undoubtedly Britain looks back on its glorious past but the world is moving on at an ever increasing pace. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO JUMP OFF.
Greece, Italy in the days of the Romans, many European countries have since dominated the world with colonies. The British Empire might have been the most successful but Spain and Portugal challenge particularly in South America, the Dutch discovered New York (once New Amsterdam) then ruled Indonesia and Goa in India, France vied with us of in the plunder of India, Belgium had the Congo, Germany was at the game too.
Columbus discovered America. Was Greece the originator of great written literature? Copernicus was Polish he saw that the Sun was the hub of our world. Is Europe not still the site of Learning prized by China. Much of modern science began in Europe. Did Europe not give the world it's greatest music?
We have given the the world its most universally revered language English, currently challenged by Spanish but in the future perhaps by Mandarin using our alphabet.
Britain and Europe have great histories. The future belongs to huge populations of China and India with their massive populations, should we lie back isolated or join forces with the rest of Europe and compete?
DEVELOP EUROPE or sink
The political turmoil around the continent tells me that discontent with the EU is wide spread.
The EU desperately to become more accountable without which it will never gain public support. Many of the annoying directives are aimed at improving and unifying standards across the continent. Resentment is not limited to Britain where we recently learned, in a chance meeting, of zero help towards the cost of meeting new EU standards hygiene from a couple starting a new butchers business, Jim in France talked recently of local farmers complaining about the cost of complying with European regulations on the handling of animal waste. Neither is the wish for democratic control of only local concern, the EU seems like a civil service unconstrained by democracy.
We as individuals need to be informed about current EU proposals to the same degree that we are of the activities in our own parliament via the very same mechanisms via Radio, TV and Internet. Is it my fault that I do not even know the name of my representative MEP or have little understanding of the complex structure of the EU?
You may judge for yourselves if I am similarly ignorant of British parliamentary matters. HUMAN RIGHTS is one of Europe's biggest achievements, I for one am completely relaxed over European law in this area.
Yet from the current discussion you would think we had already lost our democracy, or by voting IN we will lose sovereignty to the EU.
I am convinced we should work whole heartedly in positive negotiation with other nation states to produce the stable, successful, EU all the nations of Europe need.
STRONGER IN EUROPE
Only a few weeks ago I doubted I would ever see Britain Trump the level of hyperbole, dishonesty and hate in USA politics but it seems all too obvious we have. Deliberate creation of Fear or Greed on both sides of the argument via threats and promises. Most projecting forecasts as facts when no-on can ever predict the future with certainty. Promises and threats from those without the political power to deliver - for not even ministers in a sorely divided Government can do that.
Since writing this section I have to include the tragic news of the killing by stabbing and shooting of the young, highly principled MP, Jo Cox, quite possibly resulting from hate stirred by this campaign in a mentally unstable person.
More of the big issues of the current campaign which I deem to be related to TRADE and ECONOMICS, MIGRATION, POLITICS and the prospects of REFORM of the EU.
TRADE and ECONOMICS
What will happen to trade with Europe? For me the one undeniable certainty is there will be substantial risk and a period of uncertainty if we vote to leave. Trade with Europe may recover but seems unlikely to be fully restored given the increased degree of hostility from many of our jilted European partners and manufactures like the Japanese car makers who came here for easy access to European markets.
Trade with the rest of the world may improve. It has to for any net gains to the UK exports will have to come from this area. These days with little manufacturing industry left we have nothing to offer bar the financial clout of the City of London. A British Isles full of tax havens and a world leading expertise of accountants skilled in imparting methods of avoiding tax.
The vast majority of experts seem to be convinced that it would be a financial tragedy to leave, but then they would be in favour of the sitting Prime Minister wouldn't they? That however doesn't mean they are wrong, although very anti both sides of Project Fear I think they are probably right. There is a though a plausible alternative view though it may well take time to establish.
For all the who-ha this issue, dominated by FEAR, is not the vital one for me.
MIGRATION
Adds YOUTH, DYNAMISM and BREADTH to a Society. It is Good and NEEDS a POSITIVE RESPONSE.
This item will not go away whether we are in the EU or not. We now live in a rapidly expanding very unequal world already of 7 Billion people of which the UK form less than one percent. Many will want understandably to move country or continents for financial gain. Add to that the huge outflow escaping the major war zone that is today's Middle East, for which region's current instability the USA, UK, France and Russia arguably own much of the blame.
Just turned 21 in 1956 I emigrated to Canada because I was offered over three times the starting salary on offer to a newly qualified graduate engineer in the UK. No doubt Canada was as pleased to see me as we have been to accept expensively trained doctors or trained nurses from India the Philippines or Europe. In all cases, including my own, it denudes the country of origin of the benefits of education in their populations.The much vaunted Points System of Australia and Canada is designed with that prime aim.
Salaries are a major factor especially for the young, but those who choose to emigrate in a fresh start are characterized by courage and healthy ambition. In my case I initially faced loneliness for a few months without a close friend for the first and only time in my life, the loss of family and a lifestyle dominated by playing Rugby and Cricket (captain of university and school respectively).
Of a TOTALLY DIFFERENT NATURE to economic migration are the REFUGEES fleeing war and wholesale destruction of the fabric of their lives in the Middle East. Our national response, government and populace, to this tragedy is to wash our hands of our responsibility to help refugees. A response of which I am ashamed. I applaud the generous welcome given by Angela Merkel, and deplore the lack of support from other leaders for which she is now paying a party political price in her own country.
Elimination of borders worked extremely well in Europe for years until strained to breaking point by the uncontrollable influx of refugees from the Middle East. Followed it must be said by economic migrants from Africa jumping on the bandwagon once it became apparent to all that such determined mass flows could not be stopped.
Equally freedom of movement across the borders went well, our eldest son moved to France over twenty years ago and his family though nominally British from their dad's side are French speaking, though bilingual. Freedom of Movement was a two way process in reasonable balance. The problems of Economic Migration were not highlighted until the over rapid expansion of the EU into the much poorer countries of Eastern Europe. The expansion was driven by the markedly different prosperity of the two regions, financial and political. Britain was the first to suffer the strain, though I have encountered little but praise of the Poles who opened the flood gates. In time such flows will reduce naturally as lifestyles across Europe become more alike. But for the moment the unmanaged surge is causing huge problems.
POLITICS
Freedom of movement like the elimination of borders and the single currency and the inclusion of other countries were all laudable essential aims in trying to achieve a cohesive continent. But for different reasons each has come under huge pressure from events, none more so than freedom of movement combined with the over rapid expansion of nation states within the EU. We should be glad that Gordon Brown kept us out of the Euro, for he alone in Blair's pro-Europe Labour government saw the deficiencies in the lack of the structure needed to encompass countries with widely differing economies.
Thus today we have Greece still being offered bail outs which increase debts they will never be able to repay, when what is needed is a debt write off, a helping hand to give them a chance. Portugal, Spain, Ireland and Italy have suffered too. Youth unemployment is huge across the continent, and that includes France. There are huge real problems to sort but this does not rule out a highly satisfactory outcome to vital aims with huge potential benefits.
Dangerous political instability, almost hysteria is visible in America, Europe and the Middle East. Some extreme right wing others left wing, far to few politicians arguing rationally and calmly. This is not the right time fragment Europe with too many countries seeking the best for its own people, and damn the rest.
Surely few would argue with the value coming out of the 1939-45 war of France and Germany determined to work together to create a united Europe. That was an era of politicians deserving of great credit and a heart felt vote of thanks.
But Britain was very late to join in and has always tried to minimise our political involvement. Europe needs us, I believe we have far more to gain by being IN than a strong Britain can achieve on its own. Lets vote IN and work to improve our continent not just ourselves. Undoubtedly Britain looks back on its glorious past but the world is moving on at an ever increasing pace. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO JUMP OFF.
Greece, Italy in the days of the Romans, many European countries have since dominated the world with colonies. The British Empire might have been the most successful but Spain and Portugal challenge particularly in South America, the Dutch discovered New York (once New Amsterdam) then ruled Indonesia and Goa in India, France vied with us of in the plunder of India, Belgium had the Congo, Germany was at the game too.
Columbus discovered America. Was Greece the originator of great written literature? Copernicus was Polish he saw that the Sun was the hub of our world. Is Europe not still the site of Learning prized by China. Much of modern science began in Europe. Did Europe not give the world it's greatest music?
We have given the the world its most universally revered language English, currently challenged by Spanish but in the future perhaps by Mandarin using our alphabet.
Britain and Europe have great histories. The future belongs to huge populations of China and India with their massive populations, should we lie back isolated or join forces with the rest of Europe and compete?
DEVELOP EUROPE or sink
The political turmoil around the continent tells me that discontent with the EU is wide spread.
The EU desperately to become more accountable without which it will never gain public support. Many of the annoying directives are aimed at improving and unifying standards across the continent. Resentment is not limited to Britain where we recently learned, in a chance meeting, of zero help towards the cost of meeting new EU standards hygiene from a couple starting a new butchers business, Jim in France talked recently of local farmers complaining about the cost of complying with European regulations on the handling of animal waste. Neither is the wish for democratic control of only local concern, the EU seems like a civil service unconstrained by democracy.
We as individuals need to be informed about current EU proposals to the same degree that we are of the activities in our own parliament via the very same mechanisms via Radio, TV and Internet. Is it my fault that I do not even know the name of my representative MEP or have little understanding of the complex structure of the EU?
You may judge for yourselves if I am similarly ignorant of British parliamentary matters. HUMAN RIGHTS is one of Europe's biggest achievements, I for one am completely relaxed over European law in this area.
Yet from the current discussion you would think we had already lost our democracy, or by voting IN we will lose sovereignty to the EU.
I am convinced we should work whole heartedly in positive negotiation with other nation states to produce the stable, successful, EU all the nations of Europe need.
STRONGER IN EUROPE
3 comments:
I agree entirely with your comments.Unfortunately a lot of our age group feel otherwise.
best wishes
Howard Sandman
I agree entirely with your comments.
Unfortunately a lot of our age group feel otherwise
best wishes
Howard Sandman
It seems such a simple question to put to the public! In or Out?
The devil is in the detail - what happens if the result is to leave the EU, especially if the margin is small?
There would be extended negotiations, the results of which may be less favourable than we have been led to expect.
What would be the reaction if people feel that they were deceived over the likely outcome, but cannot do anything about it?
This question was raised recently by Stephen Kinnock at a recent meeting in Swansea.
Roger Knight
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