EU Referendum: tell us what you think - chance to win £100! NOW CLOSED

Well, it says at the start that the topic is for your comments and feedback on surveys being run by Gransnet, so I think discussion is expected.

I'm fairly new to GN but thought these survey posts were income generating and not necessarily for discussions, which take place elsewhere but no doubt someone will put me right!

OUT! Absolutely am voting to leave as are all my family and friends. I remember the vote in the 70's. I am unsure how anyone who has any real knowledge of what is happening in Europe and how many laws are made outside are country can even think of voting in. I think we will be leaving thank goodness! I love Amazon and in fact most of my xmas shopping is via Amazon each year.

Done. I shall be voting to stay as DD stands to lose millions of pounds in research grants if we leave.

Done. Interesting survey

Sorry, Jane, should have said to more than grans. That's what I meant. And granddads, obviously.

You have to be registered with GN to comment on a thread, jen.
All threads which offer the potential of a monetary prize seem to attract those who normally just lurk, as well as regular posters.
I have only cursorily read your rants chickenbrain but I do not recognise the 'smug superiority' of which you accuse those of us who disagree with you.

Most of the people on this thread are new names. It's obviously open to more than gransnetters.

We have had quite a few discussions before about the EU and have managed not to alienate too many people. Before all these new names appeared it was about even for staying or leaving.
Make of that what you will.

Oh, and before I sign off, one more point. The smug superiority adopted by some in the Remain is most alienating. Believe it or not it is perfectly acceptable to worry about uncontrolled immigration, wage compression, a lack of democratic accountability or even auditing of funds. People have a right to challenge what is going on. I have travelled the world, including the Near and Far East and right across Europe and the States. The idea that someone should have pride in their country is perfectly normal and the view that is some sort of racism would be laughed at in a good many countries. Strangely enough I dont think anyone who has concerns about the way the EU is collapsing in on itself ( causing political instability and throwing vast numbers of its citizens into poverty ) has anything to apologise for. Quite the reverse, it is the people who can only think of the immediate benefit to themselves of staying in who have a problem. Fortunately, looking at the weight of opinion so far expressed most members have thought it through and seem to want to Leave. Good on them. There will always be people who disagree, thats life. There is no point discussing it, time will tell.

My family is like United Nations, too, with most of them being European.
I do not call it emotional blackmail to want what is best for my children and grandchildren. Isn't that supposed to be what we all want?
I think pulling up the drawbridge after your own family are okay is wrong.

Well, I sincerely hope you feel better now you've got that out of your system. Sheesh indeed. Interesting revision of what you actually said, incidentally. Which is still there of course for anyone with the time and energy to read through your rants posts.

What I said was that I dont want to hear being concerned about other countries being given as a reason for staying in. Frankly thats just emotional blackmail. As for the idea that my children and grandchildren may be able to study abroad, for Gods sake get real. We have been studying in Europe for as long as there have been Universities. As a teenager my best friend went to the Sorbonne. My son is currently working in Japan and spends time in just about every country. My husband comes from Hong Kong and has spent his working life in the Health Service, Dont accuse me of insularity and adopt a moral high tone. I married a foreigner before the Left had even adopted it as politically correct. I can only see down sides and the does this I am not is closed minded, I think the reverse is the case. I have taught at University and have had students from all over the world. Sheesh. It is the little Europeans who cant see beyond their own backyard and are limited in their world view. The world is changing, get over it.

Haven't heard of a food mountain for ages. Where are they? I am sure the food banks would like to know!

Maggiemaybe, the European countries that are not in the EU still have to agree to free movement of people in order to trade with the EU. So those who want out are living on false promises.

Ha ha ! I meant absurd not assured

Survey done, it's out for me, which I quite surprised myself with!! Just so fed up of silly rules and regulations ,food mountains and assured rulings from Brussels

You truly can't think of one single reason to stay in, Chickenbrain? Really? While most people are carefully weighing up the pros and cons, you see only disadvantages? Freedom of movement doesn't seem like a good idea and is just about cheap labour? So you wouldn't want your grandchildren to have the chance to study and work in any EU country then? Most of us who have taken advantage of that opportunity would attest to the benefits. It makes you just a little more open-minded, for starters. And perhaps less inclined to say you don't care about anybody outside your own country.

The bigger risk is staying. The EU is doomed, and we will be dragged down with it. You need to have more confidence in your own country and listen less to vested interests. Life is all about change and adaptation. Success comes to those who look forward. In any business it is the people with foresight and who can determine trends who succeed. The EU is an outdated concept, no pan national economic Union has ever succeeded unless you have autocracy. China and the USSR are two examples. Losing our democratic rights is too high a price to pay for an outdated ideal. The writing is on the wall, accept the inevitable. The travel is towards Brexit, it will either happen sooner or it will happen later. No amount of denial will change the inevitable. It is structurally flawed and dysfunctional.

"Nicky Morgan will warn that leaving the EU could herald a “lost generation” as young people would be the big losers from an economic shock.

On Tuesday, the education secretary will say: “It’s clear that if Britain leaves Europe it will be young people who suffer the most, left in limbo while we struggle to find and then negotiate an alternative model.” She will call on young people to urge their parents and grandparents to vote in. “If parents and grandparents vote to leave, they’ll be voting to gamble with their children and grandchildren’s future.” "

What a dilemma - having to agree with Nicky Morgan.

In answer to your question, its Corporate business that want to stay in because they control the EU at Brussles, they have bribed their way into power. If you dont believe me go to the War on Want Website and look at their news section. A large number of small businesses suffer because of the EU but cant get their voice heard. As for the CBI, they wanted us to join the euro! Do you seriously think they give a damn about this country - they are Multinationals! They just want to avoid tax and get pots of cheap labour. If you go to the Civitas website you can find research which shows that the figures quoted as to how beneficial being in the EU come from Brussels! Its despicable.

Voting out! To be honest I am not concerned about considering others, this is about the future of our Country. I cannot think of one single reason to stay in. The EU is all about corporate interests, its an outdated, corrupt organisation which is antidemocratic. Freedom of movement is actually about cheap labour. I teach nursing. I was appalled a couple of years ago when a student I had who had just completed her training was sent back to Zimbabwe because the Home Office wouldnt renew her Visa. What a waste of tax payers money. Yet all and sundry can come here from Europe. It puts pressure on housing and the NHS, we cant plan how many school paces we need , the whole thing is a sick joke. Look at the state of the EU, Spain has got a youth unemployment rate of 45%! Greece is bankrupt, extremism is rising due to uncontrolled immigration. I have no problems with refugees but there is no security in the EU. Barmy, staying in rewards failure and corruption. Cant get out quickly enough for me! I voted for a Common Market, not this mess!

Will definitely vote OUT. (Small business owner) leyburn

" Not one FTSE 100 boss was among the 250 who signed a letter backing the Vote Leave campaign in a personal capacity, including ex-HSBC boss Michael Geoghegan, JD Wetherspoon chief Tim Martin and hotelier Sir Rocco Forte.

Mr Javid said: “The evidence is clear. Every major survey shows a clear majority of businesses want to remain in the EU.

"On average eight in 10 want to stay in and keep full access to a single market of 500 million consumers.

“They can see we’re stronger, safer and better-off in a reformed EU .” "

Do the majority of British businesses want to stay in??
Of the top 100 companies only a small minority signed that Government letter of support for staying in, and the majority of those are in receipt of substantial EU funds. Most small business people I speak to can't wait to get out.

Durhamjen....Thanks for the link. Have signed up.

So why do the majority of British businesses want to stay in?