The EU referendum

[Horus]

There is a lot of argument surrounding the Pros and Cons regarding the imminent EU referendum, we are told very little other than scare stories should we decide to leave. This Youtube video is well worth a look, it is a little lengthy at just over 1 hour long, but does contain some interesting facts and worth anyone's time in watching it and maybe refreshing ones memory of how it all came about and how it has and will affected us. It is entitled 'Brexit the movie' and although it's bias is for leaving the EU it does contain some interesting facts and it doesn't mention immigration once other than in the context of the rise in far right politics.

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[Ruby Slippers]

The patronising 'threats' that are coming from the government etc. are getting right up my nose! In fact, they're enough to make me vote 'OUT' in spite of them.

[Kiya]

Well this video gives "food for thought "................& did you notice the man smoking indoors.

[LovelyLadyLux]

Will have a look see this afternoon

[Grandad]

I didn't need convincing but that confirms my decision. Thanks for posting H

[Grandad]

On Tuesday I received a leaflet from The Electoral Commission explaining HOW TO VOTE in the referendum. Two boxes, Remain or Leave, put a cross in one. Does every one of the 28 million households really need to be told that?
The Electoral Commission is supposed to be an independent organisation but the leaflet includes a page devoted to very brief reasons to Remain and another similar page to Leave. OK, this is balanced with both sides having a small page to post a few Bullet Points but why is this in a leaflet from an Independent body?
I believe it is still the case, with only 5 weeks to the vote, that the majority still do not have enough information to make a measured decision. Very few people watch the late evening programme Newsnight but if they had, they would have at least seen some fair debates about the pro's and con's of remaining or leaving the EU.
I believe the majority will be swayed by the scare mongering of the Remain campaigners.....

[LovelyLadyLux]

@Grandad - re: HOW TO VOTE - actually, sadly, I DO believe people are now so dumbed down we need to be told and instructed HOW TO DO almost everything. Seems common sense has flown out the window.

[Grandad]

Sadly LLL I have to agree that that is the case

[LovelyLadyLux]

When I went to school we had to do public speaking. Wonder if that is still taught?

Our public speaking was all about picking a topic, deciding your side of the argument, laying out your points and then articulating them across to the audience.

Not too sure this is happening at all nowadays. We're all talking with our thumbs in cyber world! Don't even have to know how to spell and with spell checker kicking in am sure lots of points are distorted big time.

[Grandad]

Some sixth form classes will debate particularly if they are studying English, Politics, Social History etc. Otherwise some universities have debating societies but I agree that in general, the use of the English language has declined and to some extent become lazy (or ignorant). Things that make me cringe are the use of 'your' instead of 'you're', and 'of' instead of 'have'....and many others

But on the EU debate; I always understood that the BBC is impartial and that is written into its constitution. That in itself is questionable. There was a documentary this evening by Jeremy Paxman on the government of the EU and the degree to which Brussels and Strasborg impose its laws on the member states thus taking away their sovereignty. It was very heavily slanted towards the 'Leave' lobby by showing just what a monster the European Government and Council of Ministers has become. A proper gravy train of people, some elected, some not, who if you ask the man in the street to name his EU representative, would not have a clue.

I hope a lot of undecideds watched the programme but as there was another popular series on another channel, they probably didn't......

[LovelyLadyLux]

I'll preface that while I'm not there IN the EU my opinion doesn't carry too much weight - BUT - as an outsider looking in I can't see what the UK would ultimately actually lose by leaving. With planning (key word PLANNING) I can't see how all present 'deals' and 'relationships' couldn't be maintained or similarly re-negotiated with maybe even better terms.

I might be missing something really big but we're still basically Capitalistic and I'm more than sure that Business people still want to do business - so - I'd say lose the rest and go it alone. Not like you'll have done that before anyway.