No vote

I have been rather indundated with academic coursework the past week as deadlines pop up like jack-in-the-boxes but in a brief lull (til Friday), I will explain my reaction to David Cameron’s plans for a referendum, in a speech that will be completely overshadowed by Barack Obama’s re-inauguration (let’s hope the Chief Justice doesn’t muck it up this time around). I firmly believe that the UK’s place is within the European Union and not in some loose footling way as envisaged by Cameron. As a country, we are faced with two choices for the long-term – either as a partner in the EU or a servant of the USA. I much prefer the greater level of equality found in the 27 member EU (not the lurid behemoth of tabloid tub-thumping), but it was hilarious when lunatic Tories starting frothing when the Assistant Secretary of State for Europe stated it was in the USA’s interests for Britain to be at the heart of Europe. He said the alliance between the two countries would endure irrespective of a referendum but that was just for show – diplomat-speak. Incredible to think that there are elected politicians who wish to make Britain irrelevant and poorer but this is the psychosis that grips Europhobes (an increasingly common phrase as any claims to logic through ‘scepticism’ are abandoned).


I was already going to vote Labour (after voting Lib Dem in 2010) because any other vote is, in effect, for the Tory incumbent. I disagree with a raft of Labour policies but I am now resolved to vote because a referendum could be easily lost, as the Europhobes will come out in force, as they do in Irish referendums.