The EU - we are on the home straight folks!

me too!

Thought that Frank Field was the most impressive speaker on QT last night.

I do have an interest in the environment, in fact my first degree was in Environmental Sciences. I applaud much of the EU legislation around this area but reject the idea that should we leave we will immediately be plunged back into London smogs, the salmon will leave our rivers and our shores and beaches will be awash with sewage.
There is a strong environmental ethos which has developed in the UK over the last 40+ years and laws and pressure groups to protect the 'environment'
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't there a suspicion that France, one of our EU neighbours was involved in the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland harbour...not the most environmentally friendly act me thinks

Anniebach, I'm not suggesting racism doesn't exist, but it is nowhere near as common as it was 50 years ago. Go to pubs, clubs, restaurants etc and you will see multi racial groups, in the 50's that would not have happened. If you still see racism, you must live in a place noted for it, or are making assumptions.

So we leave the EU and keep all the money . Parliment will decide where the money is spent, which parts of the U.K. will get more help. Cheery thought

GandTea, re this post:

Jane/Varian, it is worrying that some like, myself, can not understand the arguments put forward by each side. I have made a decision, but I am far from happy that it is the right one.

I think most of us feel this way. There are no certainties here and the issues are so complex. At the end of the day, you have to weigh it all and make a choice. I think all some are asking here, is that it is an informed choice.

Where I live, people have to make decisions all the time and vote on new laws and referendums every few weeks on local, county or National level- and its very hard work trying to understand all the issues. This week-end we have local council elections and another 5 major issues to vote for- one of them being a basic salary for all.

@Anya

It was a typo ~lol~

The UK is much stronger within the EU.

Why should I have changed my mind? The problems within the UK are of the UK government's doing. The EU is a scapegoat. Leaving it won't make things better.

GrandTea, it is ilegal to be openly racist now, that's the difference . Good grief even the Met police have been declared racist. How come UKIP is strong given the many racist comments by many of it's members? If we are now a non racist country we wouldn't have UKIP

It is not racist to want to control who comes to this country to work and live. Asylum seekers are an entirely different issue and we have traditionally accepted and harboured those fleeing persecution.
If we need seasonal unskilled workers to work our fields and farms that's fine.
If we need nurses and doctors from the commonwealth countries then welcome.
If we need chefs from the Indian subcontinent - well I'd class that as an essential occupation

So I'm all in favour of immigration but I'd rather not be forced to accept someone because their essential qualification was 'being from the EU'

No Anya, not racist but very old colonial , those days are long gone for some, still longed for by some . I am not saying everyone who wants out is racist bu racism is still strong in this country, always has been

anya I am interested to read that you have an environmental degree.

You will be aware I assume that the environmental laws developed over the past 40+ years are almost entirely as a result of EU legislation.
You will as an environmentalist also be aware that there isn't a single environmental institution that does not want to stay in the EU.
You will as an environmentalist be aware of the pressures consistently being placed on the UK government by businesses such as farmers, manufacturers, landowners to degrade the laws in place to protect the environment.
You will as an environmentalist be aware of the EU laws in place that ensure that where precious habitats and endangered species of all sorts are protected as far possible , and where this is not possible the habitat is moved thus protecting our wildlife. Money is given to us to carry this out from the EU
As an environmentalist you will be aware of the EU laws relating to clean air, and how to date our government especially in London has failed to met this resulting in thousands of deaths every year. Leaving the EU will stop this pressure to change.

Anya l honestly believe that your comments relate to the majority of people who are voting out.
Annie Don't you think that the money would be better distributed by politicians ( whether we agree with them or not) in this country rather than MEP's in Europe doing little deals amongst themselves, ie I'll vote with you on this, if you vote with me on that.

petra so are you saying that what happens to the UK over the result is down to one issue -immigration

I've voted "in" because of my own beliefs but also because I see the lives of my children and their friends are totally tied into the EU. They have friends working here from all over the EU and know people from this country who are working in Europe. I keep hearing people complaining about "the free movement of people"as if this was a one way system with people only coming here, but it is a 2 way system. I wonder will we send back to Europe my DS's friends who are working and paying taxes and bring back here the retirees who don't?

Liz Saville Roberts was very impressive last night on QT I must say. And so was the young Owen Jones.

The education system and the NHS are being destroyed from within, with cuts and much lower % of GDP than other European countries, and constant interference and undermining- and not due to EU immigration.

France envies us for the immigration of so many young, well qualified and/or hard working young people from Europe- who contribute now, and will contribute even more in the long term to all our institutions. France has a very ageing population and facing a real crisis with pensions and cost of healthcare for the elderly, etc. The UK on the other hand is booming- all those EU migrants do contribute to taxes and will increasingly do so as they become settled.

Leaving will not do anything to stop immigration from beyond the EU- as the UK is where youngsters want to come, for all sorts of reasons. As said before- without the cooperation of other EU countries helping the UK to stop those migrants- they will just wave them on to 'get rid' ... that is clear. Why should they not?

No Petra, best I say no more or I will be under attack again. Interesting listening to a woman from Cornwall on the radio this morning, she claimed it's all north and south of England and the rest is ignored , she is so right

Anniebach, for heavens sake please read what I say, I did not say Britain is non-racist, just that is considerably less racist that it was 50 years ago.

I thought Owen Jones was excellent on QT. Frank Field had to be rescued quite often by Dimbleby; he appeared to forget how to finish his sentence.
A bit annoying that Owen Jones was supposed to be in Newcastle as well, but his views were obviously seen by more people.
I agree with you, trisher. Free movement of people means within the whole of the EU and is a good thing.
All countries benefit from it.

'young' Owen Jones is 31.He may be passionate about things but is also pretty inarticulate.The Welsh MP looked a humourless sort.Frank Field was the only one not shouting at the others or speaking over people.Dimbleby interrupts too much.

This is an interesting article. It really epitomises the thinking on GN.

theconversation.com/uncertain-nostalgic-uncomfortable-and-bewildered-a-portrait-of-the-older-brexit-backer-60343

No country in the world is non racist.However, the UK has come on in leaps and bounds on that score in the last 50 years as GandTea says.It would have done so anyway, regardless of the EU.Just as Other countries not in the EU have done.

What rubbish djen and rude of you ( as usual.)

Owen Jones inarticulate?
He's a very articulate 31 year old, and says some of the most sensible things I hear.

Have you read it, roses?