I may not live in England, but it has always been high on my list of favourite places; probably because I was born there.
The England of my youth was Surrey, Cambridgeshire, and London. I was once mugged in London (Bayswater); an unexpected sucker-punch from one of three Irishmen put me on the floor before they took everything of value from me, but otherwise my life has always been quiet and untroubled. Today I fear I would be constantly looking over my shoulder, in case of a random attack by 'point-scoring' gang members.
But this is not what worries most English people; it is of course the crazy fallout from effing Brexit. A situation that has arisen over the past few years that was previously totally and utterly unimaginable.
There is no question that the EU has changed from being a trading partnership (The Common Market), to an interfering political group, hell-bent on becoming a single state, and folk are not happy.
Irrational 'No Deal' scare tactics have become ridiculous, with the 'remainers' claiming that half the population is going to die through lack of medicines, and the other half through lack of food. The 'leavers', however, claim that most people won't notice any difference whatsoever after the UK's exit. If anything, things will get better.
What we will notice, however, is the continuing rumpus between the leavers and remainers. Whichever way it eventually falls, there will be roughly 50% of the population who will continue to be angry; and this will NOT go away. It could last for generations.
Even with my serious EU reservations, I continue to be a 'remainer' for obvious reasons; and I have still not given up hope. However, if England was to quit Europe I cannot see my life changing one iota. My Pound may be exchanged for a few less Euros at the ATM, but that won't affect my weekly outgoings or life-style. I also quite expect to see Oxford Marmalade, McVities biscuits, and Cheddar cheese continuing to be sold at my favourite supermarket here; and if you genuinely think that Perrier water, Citroens, Brie, and Tintin books are going to disappear from the UK, then think again! And as for those medicines (isotopes et al), the lorries carrying them are marked, and are given priority clearance at their port of entry.
The Brexit process has gone from being 'troublesome', to being akin to a Monty Python comedy show (The Ministry of Silly Talks), with our pathetic politicians playing the major roles.
But one thing I can assure everyone who lives in GB, is that any temporary fallout from Brexit would be NOTHING in comparison to having Corbyn, Watson, McDonnell, and Abbott in No 10. The poor would become poorer, unemployment would rise dramatically, and the rich would simply move South. It has always been thus; and would be thus yet again!
The remainer rage coupled with vengeance of starvation and death is something to behold. Once civilised people they are now foaming at the mouth and rapidly losing credibility. If they carry on like this they are in danger of seeing the table turn.
ReplyDeleteIt has become quite ridiculous; if they're not careful, they'll start believing it themselves!
DeleteLike a lot of others, on both sides of the Brexit fence, I am heartily sick of all the posturing, scare-mongering and in-fighting. Nobody has any clear answers, or can foresee the full implications.
ReplyDeletePersonally I agree that the average UK resident will not really notice much difference.
If anything it will give extra impetus to UK Farmers, and Industrialists. The perfect opportunity to revitalise manufacturing etc.
DeleteI voted out, but otherwise your analysis is as mine. I also see a Labour Gov as being the worse option so much so that I will rejoin the Conservative Party and of course continue to vote for them as the lesser of two evils!
ReplyDeleteA Corbyn led government would put the UK back by decades. Sadly it's always their own supporters who suffer the most.
DeleteCameron along with Blair have buggered up this country, Their arrogance deserves no recognition other than scorn. The untold damage both of them have done is unforgivable.
ReplyDeleteLX
Blair wittingly; Cameron unwittingly. But the effect is much the same.
DeleteThe Tories put Britain in the mess and nobody but them should be blamed. Labour will build infrastructure, social housing and nationalise the railways again. No more elitism and privatisation.
ReplyDeleteI'll remind you of your statement, should we ever be unfortunate enough to see them in power again.
DeleteAt what cost to the country, they have a history of overspending.
DeleteIt's a sad fact that never in their history have they left Britain in a better state than when they took over. They've done a few good things, but always at huge cost to the people.
DeleteNHS. Unemployment Benefit. Free Education for All. Minimum Wage. Health and Safety at Work. Social Housing. Civil Rights. Trade Unions. Smokefree zones etcetera - Yes - a few good things but always at huge benefit to the people.
DeleteWho introduced university fees? I can safely ignore someone who thinks Jared O'Mara worth a vote.
DeleteIf we have a no-deal exit then I think you could see your life change a little on the other side of the channel. Even Farage is now admitting that UK farmers are in for a very rough time.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that it is only the people who feel financially secure who say that nothing will change for them. The ones who are not financially secure who believe that Brexit will be nothing more than a short journey down a bumpy road have not thought it through.
DeleteMy fiver is still on a second referendum, which would be won by 'remain'. My fingers are firmly crossed!
DeleteIf you think there is anger now it would be nothing compared to a new Remain outcome. Leavers are naturally more prone to vehemence.
DeleteIf Labour get in, we wll be broke again, when they left no 10 last time we were high in debt and broke. Plus they will allow EU to dictate terms of our departure, they are the weak party, always have been, short term gain long term pain.
ReplyDeleteThey always sound so plausible in theory, but the reality is always disastrous. Sadly it's the poorer in society who suffer the most, but they don't seem to mind; they vote for them anyway!
DeleteIn my youth they used to say that the best govt was a Conservative one enacting Labour legislation. Taking what was at heart socially fair legislation and implementing it in a way that did not bankrupt the country. What we have now is dreadful, a plague on both their houses.
ReplyDeleteAs for the opportunist running dogs of socialism, the Lib Dem’s and the SNP, the least said the better.
That's what I've always believed 'One Nation Conservatism' to be; common sense policies with a caring social agenda.
DeleteIf it could ever be like this I would definitely vote Conservative. I am a natural conservative in the way that I'm a natural Christian. I don't go to church.
DeleteI appreciated all of your reflections upon The Brexit Debacle until I reached the last paragraph. Labour is the only political party that ever did anything of note for ordinary working people and that is why I have only ever voted for The Labour Party which is how I will continue to vote until my dying day. I guess that my last sentence is like a red rag to a bull. I know my tribe and you very evidently know yours.
ReplyDeleteWell, as a Labour supporter you will know only too well that never in their history have they left power with the country in a better financial state than when they started. This isn't controversial, it's simply a fact.
DeleteMy opinion is.......oh, you didn't ask. I will cast off my communist hat and suggest that half the population voted to leave the EU for their reasons, well understood or not. Politicians of all varieties should have seen this coming. Absolutely stupid of Cameron to set up the vote. Essentially the vote to leave was an anti foreigner in the UK vote. While the 'doctor's wives' may have felt some discontent about the EU, it was your basic Anglo English person fed up with being swamped by Europeans, especially Eastern Europeans. The contrast between our visit to the UK ten years ago when all hotel staff and service people were so rude and unhelpful, Euro born, to our visit this year when everyone was so lovely and generally UK born was astonishing. I don't think the UK should leave the EU, but by golly, the EU needs to be much more accommodating to the UK and the UK government needs to listen to its own people's discontent. Sorry for the rant. But no problem. Boris will sort it out. Just watch and wait.
ReplyDeleteCameron made a real cock-up of his referendum promise. Previously a few people moaned about the EU, but it was never a country-wide issue. Now the whole nation is divided, and at each other's throats. What a bloody mess.
DeleteBloody mess is a good description.
DeleteSadly the answer for most of the people now is that they no longer care - the idiots in the House of Commons have made it all look like a Soap Opera.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that everything will work out fine eventually, whichever way it goes. Frankly, I couldn't give a damn either, I just want it to be over with.
DeleteI think they should accept Mrs May's deal. Always have done.
ReplyDeleteI may live in Austria but my cheese is Cheddar!
All those who shouted so loudly against Mrs May's deal, are now shouting against a no deal, and are desperate for Mrs May's deal. You couldn't make it up!
DeleteLabour are now saying they would negotiate a deal with Brussels and then vote against it in Parliament. You couldn't make that up either!
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