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As the hysterical left weep into their lattes...

(508 Posts)
thatbags Mon 27-Jun-16 06:45:30

Well said, Libby Purves and Peter Tatchell! Tatchell is quoted as saying "The left must listen to Brexit supporters and their concerns. Very wrong to dismiss them all as racists and xenophobes". Of those anguished 'hysterical lefties': "many of them mean well [ouch!] yet elitism erupted like a poisoned boil". Superb!

Elitism. The other thing the hysterical left whine about when they're not too busy calling anyone who doesn't agree with them a bigot. Yes. Quite. In spite of my high level of education, and my husband's, we both "get it" in a way that many with similar backgrounds don't seem to. Perhaps we still feel a connect to those of our families who were at the runt end of society only two generations ago. Perhaps we understand better the effect of "arrogant, incompetent Brussels institutions, and the decades when governments neglected inequality".

Purves does not skim over actual racism at all, but she says quite rightly that the vast majority of people are not racists or xenophobes. She's right.

Thank you, Libby Purves.

daphnedill Mon 27-Jun-16 09:40:42

How the heck is Libby Purves not a luvvie?

Like Gove and Johnson, she's a journalist and gets paid to write this stuff without taking responsibility for the outcome.

I understand what you're writing, Nonio. The attitudes of some people make me want to weep too. I don't know why I stick with it.

Cherrytree59 Mon 27-Jun-16 09:44:36

Thatbags good article
Please check out JCB
JCB (lord Bamford) have said all along that there is nothing to fear of coming out of Europe
They are an award winning employer
A forward thinking company.
They provide an Academy for children 13 and above (no homework)

Millbrook Mon 27-Jun-16 09:48:27

Thank you so much for this measured response, Ginny42, though of course I am really sorry to hear about the consequences for you and your family.

I live in Wales, which is ( by some margin) the biggest recipient of Regional European funding. Wales voted Leave. A decision which I cannot begin to understand.

I am quite literally in despair at what happens now. I am, for the first time in my life, tempted to bury my head in the sand, to forget about future generations, to adopt an 'I'm alright Jack' attitude. The consequences of this LEAVE decision seem so overwhelming that I am at a loss as to what to do that can a) make a difference and b) give me some hope.

Perhaps that's another thread for those of us feeling so bereft after last Friday....'One Small Thing.....'? Not a thread to vent anger or despair, or argue the rights and wrongs, but something positive, to support and comfort those for whom the Leave decision feels akin to a bereavement, with all the shock, pain and bewilderment that brings.

This is only my 2nd ever post, so maybe someone more experienced could take up the suggestion?

Thanks again ( and I hope this is in the right place!)

Tegan Mon 27-Jun-16 09:49:50

JCB are a private company that has got a world market anyway.

Elegran Mon 27-Jun-16 09:51:42

Attagirl, Bags! I voted to remain, but I am with you about hysteria.

Some of us lived through war years (as a child, but children have eyes and ears) and I don't remember the adults having such reactions as some of those shown here. Fathers were sent off to extreme danger and a lot didn't return, mothers coped with reduced income and increased heavy toil and responsiblities, houses were destroyed with all the contents and families had to crowd into the homes of relatives, children were evacuated to the care of strangers, lodgers were billeted compulsorily wherever there were spare rooms, businesses folded and jobs vanished, food and clothing was rationed and gardens becamer allotments.

The mood of the country was that WE SHALL SURVIVE More than that, we would rise and prosper - and so we did, because we were determined.

whitewave Mon 27-Jun-16 09:53:12

millbrook smile

Anniebach Mon 27-Jun-16 09:57:02

Millbrook do keep posting .

I am devasted by the Wales result, hadn't recovered from seven UKIP's in the Senydd in May then this in June

durhamjen Mon 27-Jun-16 10:00:08

Wasn't the whole point of the EU that there were no more wars in Europe, Elegran?
Do you really think we ought to go back to those days?
We shall survive? Our children and grandchildren expect more than that bunker mentality.

Luckygirl Mon 27-Jun-16 10:00:12

I do agree that there is a large degree of over-reaction and breast beating that I would see as unnecessary. As Elegran says, the country has been through a lot worse.

Stay calm and carry on is the thing to do I feel. It is a wake up call to our government and the leaders of Europe that there are people who are not happy with things as they stand.

The fact that Juncker snapped "No" and stormed out when asked if Thursday's vote might trigger the break-up of the EU indicates very clearly to me that the people at the top of the EU are arrogant and unwilling to listen; just as the British government failed to hear the concerns of those in our society who are disadvantaged. How much better it would have been to hear a statesmanlike measured response with proper reasoning behind it.

Jaibee007 Mon 27-Jun-16 10:00:41

Lefties 'weeping into their lattes' profoundly offensive and classist -I am surprised your comments were not moderated -not ok and I am shocked to read such a bigoted comment on grans net.

Anniebach Mon 27-Jun-16 10:01:19

We did rise after the war Elegran, we voted for a labour government who brought in the NHS

Alea Mon 27-Jun-16 10:03:40

I think most people only chat with like-minded people. They miss out
"Grannies/eggs/sucking/teaching " - make a well known saying out of these!
I purposely shop for instance, in a mix of towns of various social mix and status from each other
A person can't always shop in Harvey Nicks! Although personally I find the John Lewis Partnership serves me very well smile
You couldn't make this up obieone!!!
.

radicalnan Mon 27-Jun-16 10:04:07

Its not all about us is it?

This divide is being felt everywhere now all EU areas and in America where some people shout 'racist' and enjoy their moral superiority and do not recognise their own rather fascist view that some people are not fit to have the vote as not educated enough etc.

It has highlighted the issues and if politicians can't cope with resolving them, then they need to go, plenty more people waiting in the wings with fresh ideas.

Only time will tell if we were wise to vote Brexit, I voted out for reasons not at all connected with race. Far more to do with democracy and the interference of the EU in things I hold dear, like alternative medicines and the dreaded TTIP. I also resented Obama turning up to threaten us with his 'back of the queue' rhetoric. He really needs to go home and sort the gun laws !!

Other media channels have a far more inspiring view of what has occurred, it isn't perfect but it is a far better wake up call than civil war might be.

Let's get on with sorting things out. The only loser so far is democracy, people wanting second referendums and deciding that Corbyn is not a winning leader etc. He was voted in by the membership for goodness sake.

The EU is failing and will fail, we were half-hearted about it anyway we cherry picked the bits we wanted and now some pretend it is heaven on earth. It certainly isn't that it is a conduit to big corporations who want to rule the world. Good for us we voted out.

Maggiemaybe Mon 27-Jun-16 10:05:28

Same here, Millbrook. The North East England leave vote is beyond my comprehension. I love the area and don't want to see it suffer. They have benefited from so much EU that is now in jeopardy, including this:

nelep.co.uk/funding/european-funding/

It'd be reassuring to think our central government will do as much, but I can't see it happening. However determined they are.

There was an interview on TV this morning with a Cornish businesswoman not at all worried about funding from the EU being lost, because she has a letter signed by Gove and Johnson guaranteeing that the government will provide it shock I do hope those who actually have the authority to make such guarantees are aware.

Lizziehop2 Mon 27-Jun-16 10:05:30

Brilliant!! Fed up with being verbally abusedfor the way I chose to vote!!!

Lilyflower Mon 27-Jun-16 10:06:44

Quite right of thatbags to remind everyone that abuse should not be part of the democratic process. It has been a truly terrible weekend. It started for my dear OH and I with our daughter, distraught and terrified, demanding to know which way we had voted.In fact we had worked out that, for us, 'Remain' was a vote for self interest concering the OH's imminent retirement and pension, but for principles concerning the country:- sovereignity, autonomy, the economy and border controls 'Leave' was probably preferable. He voted in and I voted out. Neither of us reproached the other or would have thought of doing anything to hinder or criticise the democratic process. it was all very good humoured and civilised.

However, our DD had been wound up by the intergenerational envy mob and persuaded by peers and left orientated Facebook friends that her job was now on the line, that she could no longer work in Europe and that everyone who voted 'Leave' was an old, selfish racist who had destroyed her future.

I deprecate the present intemperate tone of British political debate and long for the old days when it was simply bad manners to raise religion or politics in public as the tacit understanding was that people differed and that was perfectly acceptable when all adults possessed a single vote in a secret ballot.

Elegran Mon 27-Jun-16 10:07:38

Heaping opprobrium on ALL who voted to leave or ALL who want to remain won't achieve anything, it is let-it-all-hang-out-and-blame-someone. There were many different reasone to vote either in or out. It is just not true that this is a country of racists and xenophobists. It is a country where many are genuinely afraid for their future in a potential recession, and simultaneously many are coming here because they are even more afraid in their own country. Add in that the favourite scapegoat for any unpopular regulation has been the EU and OF COURSE there is friction.

Yes, there are some dyed-in-the-wool xenophobes - but not half the population.

Equally, there are those who make a very good living as a result of the connection with the EU - but not half the population.

Throwing blame and accusations backwards and forwards doesn't mend the growing split in the social fabric. It makes it worse.

durhamjen Mon 27-Jun-16 10:10:03

Alea, it must take obieone a long time to do her shopping.

Alea Mon 27-Jun-16 10:11:19

I don't actually see this as divisive and tend to echo what Elegran said.
Libby Purves, like all good journalists has chosen a snappy headline, but that doesn't stigmatise all the Remain voters who are now facing the economic and social mess which has resulted. But yes, there has been international cooperation, crossover, freedom of movement since the days of Holbein's portrait of Henry VIII.
If the decision has to stand, there is going to be a heck of a lot of hard work and skill involved in seeing us through the process. Also leadership, ( sadly absent ) if the aftershock is not to be more damaging than the earthquake.

Joelsnan Mon 27-Jun-16 10:11:39

So the remainers blame the racists, the xenophobes, the uneducated and the elderly. Maybe it's time to stop this. It reminds me of a child throwing a tantrum because someone took the chocolate cake without seeing that there was a bigger one one the next table. They gave to mature enough to be able to look around and see a global perspective. It might mean a short walk, but if they want the bigger cake, stop the tantrum and take the walk.

Stansgran Mon 27-Jun-16 10:11:57

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wrinklies-have-well-and-truly-stitched-us-up-qfz509cz8?shareToken=f4377967bf87e4c742df1feec85f06f6
www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ragtag-rebels-who-had-nothing-left-to-lose-lvwnsdwkv?shareToken=11737486c507875b9362b2fb8cab2d4b
I don't know if this will work but these were on opposite pages of the times on Friday and I've sent them to friends abroad who have been baffled by the whole thing.

Anniebach Mon 27-Jun-16 10:12:26

obieone, I shop in one town , too far to walk twenty miles to the next one. I mix with like minded people, I refer to them as human beings .

Stansgran Mon 27-Jun-16 10:13:25

I don't mean to divert from the original article ThatBags but I did find the contrast interesting.

Nonio Mon 27-Jun-16 10:14:13

I, too, am utterly bewildered by the triumphant note at the understandable fear of so many and the understandable despair of others who are looking at their future thrown into disarray (some stories in this thread).

I have two friends (both gentle, kind incredibly hardworking considerate people) who have lived in the UK for decades on EU passports. Now they are looking with great fear at their homes and businesses. They are very depressed indeed.

Like it or not they feel that the tone of the Brexit debate appears to have been very hostile to people like them who are immigrants. They feel unwanted.

One had to go to the Director of her company with the news that the bill (in Euros) for services (they are a language school for business people) purchased in Germany had just risen markedly because the value of the pound has fallen so badly against the Euro. On projected rising costs v income it looks as if 10 staff in this little company will have to be made redundant.

You see, it is not a big multi national company like Bamford/JCB with manufacturing bases in America (Savannah), Europe (Germany) and S America (Brazil) with a diverse income stream in as well as the UK. It is just a small, English company...and relies on immigrants for their business and their diverse language skills.

He said he did not think of that when he voted Brexit. He did not want to leave Europe..just teach 'the elite government" a lesson and get the £350 million a week he'd been told had been sent to Brussels into the NHS. By then he knew that there never had been £350 million a week sent to Brussels and therefore we did not and will not have it to put into the NHS. Even less likely with tax revenues likely to fall. Nor had he understood, until after he had voted that the touted Australian points system of immigration has resulted in twice the number of immigrants per head of population in Australia as the free borders movement in the EU. He feels conned not triumphant as the realities hit home.

My cousin (in Ireland) is feeling cheerful as they have just won a multi million Euro contract from an American consortium who'd been holding off on a decision as to whether to award it to a British Company or an Irish one (they wanted an English speaking base in the EU to maximise their trading advantages). Not much point in awarding it to Britian as we are leaving the EU.

I'd say that those who voted Remain have good reason to cry into their coffee (whether instant or otherwise). I'd say those who voted Leave have got reason to as well.

daphnedill Mon 27-Jun-16 10:14:28

@Elegran

Do you think you might have felt differently if you hadn't had a common enemy and you'd felt that there was a division between you and your own compatriots?