Stupid, Shortsighted, Blinkered Britain! Black Friday Indeed!
Hi Everyone
What a disastrous, catastrophic day, not just for Britain, not even just for the EU, but for the whole world in so many ways. This is a Black Friday like no other!
This morning in Britain we have woken up to political chaos! After a campaign which was based on scare-mongering and a good many outright lies, 51.9% of the people who voted chose that we must leave the European Union. This was definitely fuelled by one tabloid newspaper in particular, which appealed to the xenophobic and not particularly deep-thinking sector of the population!
So what are the immediate effects?
- The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has tendered his resignation, and other members of his party are already jostling to take his position.
- The position of the leader of the Opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, is being strongly questioned.
- The Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has said that there will in all probability be another Independence Referendum for the Scottish people to leave the UK. They definitely want to stay in the EU.
- There have been calls for Northern Ireland to leave the UK and join Eire, thus remaining in the EU.
- Spain is now trying to reclaim poor little Gibraltar, the last British-ruled country in Europe who were the first to register their overwhelming 90% majority Remain vote.
- And no one knows what will happen to the half million plus British citizens who have made their homes in the European Union.
- The Stock Exchange has fallen, and the value of the pound has fallen against other currencies.
- Most bizarre of all, the father of Boris Johnson who was the shining light of the Leave campaign, and has a good chance of being the next Prime Minister, has suggested that as London voted overwhelmingly to Remain, they should independently stay in the EU!!
Everywhere there is an atmosphere of uncertainty. Even the politicians have no idea what will happen next. Basically it is Chaos!
I am finding it very difficult to stay positive today. What worries me most of all is that the future of our children and grandchildren is now in jeopardy. No longer will they have the freedom to work or study in the European Union and their horizons will be so much more limited. Job opportunities in this country are not good.
Britain is a mere 20 miles from mainland Europe at the nearest point. It is sheer madness to isolate our country at a time when what is really needed is Global Unity.
All we are left with is the hope that things will turn out better than we fear, but that remains to be seen. I am incensed that the knee jerk votes of people who are discontented with the political situation in this country and have used those votes as a protest more than anything else, have changed my country foe ever, and there is absolutely nothing that anyone can do about it now.
So today I am in deep mourning.
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Recent Comments
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I qualify for dual citizenship with Ireland (I am American). I need to get the paperwork done and it is very expensive now (several thousand dollars by the time you get the citizenship and the passport).
I was looking forward to doing that when I could afford it. I would be a citizen of the EU and be able to travel, live and work anywhere in the EU. Now, I don't know if there will be much left of the EU!
Getting bored with some on the internet posting that anyone who voted leave are in the bigot/racist/stupid box because they have a different opinion to you. It's not correct and not right . Stereotyping millions of people who chose a different route to you. Not good !
Yes We are out That's Democracy not stupidity. It's clear that politicians failed to listen to the majority ( almost 17 and a half million people across the uk and in Wales 17 out of the 22 welsh local authorities voted leave- wow
and so here we are .....
But here's the thing. The majority of people in both camps - remain and leave, are good people who followed their heart and conscience and now accept the country's decision. It could have gone either way. General Insults on Facebook or anywhere else on the web for that matter will not change the democratic wish of the majority. And here's the other thing...
Swarms of locusts will not descend .
The sun will continue to shine
We will come through the early difficulties and
financial peaks and troughs will eventually pass away.
New horizons. New deals. Our star will rise.
Our children and grandchildren will be safer and better off in the long term.
We will also retain our humanity and continue to help those in need.
This is real democracy in action, and we are the best in the world at doing it.
deep breaths. In. Out. In. and Out.
It will be good in the end.
Just heard Nicola sturgeon says she wants Scotland in Europe my message to her is you have to get through qualifiers like the rest of us first
Of course you are entitled to your opinion Steve. But I truly believe that this should have been a decision of Parliament. `The true implications are just emerging. And 76% of young people, the people whose future will be most affected, voted to Remain.
But yes, we do all have to make the best of it now.Many thanks for your comments.
Allow me to post a borrowed piece I read in the last couple of hours:
And when you moan about how weak the pound has become, remember what you've done.
When you vent about having to fill out visas and endless forms to enter any country that used to stand alongside us as an ally, remember what you have done.
When you are sad about the fact that your children can't study in Europe for free, remember what you have done.
When you complain about having to pay import taxes on international orders, remember what you have done.
When there are a lack of doctors on your ward, remember what you have done.
When what is left of the small businesses in your local area evaporate, remember what you have done.
When your mates get turfed out of their new home in Malaga to get deported back here, remember what you have done.
When you realise our close coalition with NATO is now defunct and we are no longer a key partner, remember what you have done.
And when your Polish, Italian or French friends are subject to xenophobic attacks from your own government, remember what you have done.
When you question why on Earth Scotland would want to leave us to rejoin, remember what you have done.
When your friend who works in trade linked to the EU loses their job, along with three million others, remember what you have done.
When YOU lose your public sector job due to it now being privatised, remember what you have done.
Remember what you, the predominantly working class, the bottom of the food chain- have done. The Tory government doesn't care about you.
But please, remember what you have done.
You are right, Chrissie, what we work up to today was disastrous. The aftermath is not surprising, however politicians must take responsibility for this mess. Both sides were hateful and used tactics that were alien to this country and unfortunately it backfired somewhat on the Remain side.
I felt particularly sad that the leader of the opposition was so passive. They misread the mood of the country, which Brexit maximised. If they have a collective conscience, politicians have to look deep into their disgraceful conduct.
Britain is not an empire anymore and they need the alliance! But if you sign the petition that is going around and they get 100,000 votes it can be opened to the public again. The parliament is not for this. The worst thing is only 75% of British voted, in Australia it is compulsory to vote! This is very sad for Britain and for Australia! Now the dollar and pound has dropped!
You are quite right Michael. Unfortunately though, the petition was to cancel the referendum, so it is now redundant!! And our parliament wanted to remain by two thirds to one. The really stupid thing was to ask the British public to make the decision in the first place!!
So we have o take it as it is now, and just hope it will turn to OK of everyone. Many thanks for your comment :)
It should never have come up at all....it was a knee jerk reaction to the refugee crisis!
its people's choice and whilst it is sad they did not at the end of the day as a democracy we have to go with the vote, the market will be a bit shaky however it is starting to settle once more
Only 42% of Americans voted in the last election...it is pathetic. I get so mad at people who are too lazy or too disinterested or too apathetic to vote here. Most Americans also don't care about or learn history, geography or about the rest of the world.
I feel like an outsider in my own country sometimes since I am very interested in all these subjects.
it is sad that people do not take enough interest in what is going on in their country, my brother is duel USA/Scottish British, he does take an interest with both countries
All I can say is for our country to be united and to do our best to help our economy grow for the future of our children's children. Hope the turmoil in the parliament is just a temporary reaction to the turnout of the referendum and the fall of our currency will just be short-lived. Let's think and plan for the future of our country and all the EU countries and not anymore think about today, Let's hold each other's hands and give our best SMILES! Happy thoughts always :)
Sorry what I should have said is by signing the new petition it can be presented to parliament for debate.
debating is a good thing however a vote by the people would be hard to go against and would cause trouble I think
There are some decisions that the 'public' shouldn't vote on because the 'public' does not have all the information at their fingertips to make an informed decision........especially when the so-called experts are at loggerheads with each other.....who are supposedly 'informed'...
perhaps however if we had clearer information it would help a pro's and con's list with honest details would make a difference
That would definitely make a difference. The only problem is, it's like trying to explain how a car works to someone who has never fixed a car, unfortunately, not a lot of people understand the workings of these things but they can understand the broadstrokes......in the end though do we want a skilled builder build our house, or some cack handed trainee? Which is why we need experts. Sorry about all the analogies but sometimes they are necessary to get a point across....
that is a good way to put it I am one of these people who like peace and it has been anything but since this voting stuff.. and great analogies perhaps we should have you as PM the way things are you could do a better job lol have a good week
Thanks Katie, not only have you brought a smile to my face but you are a great thinker too....maybe you could be my advisor? lol! Peace is what most people want...the war mongers should be put on their own island!
Now that is just dangerous having me as an advisor lol I agree all the trouble makers can go run the space station
Yes Adel, I am regaining my positive vibes now!! We must all strive to make the best of whatever we are presented with, and work towards unity with the whole world!! :)
I know exactly how you feel Nikki. Women in this country died in the fight to get the vote 100 years ago, and I don't understand people who take no part in voting.
Ah Chrissie once the panic settles things will unfold none of this happens overnight it will take almost two years, the UK have come through worse things than this, David Cameron has let his voters down by doing the two things he said he would not do, had the EU recognized the needs of the UK and worked with us more sympathetically we would not be in this position, England is bursting at the seems, infastructures cannot cope, mass unemployment in many areas as well as poverty many feel the government did nothing to help them restructure and build up communities, we can still have a good partnership with our neighbours we did before the common market and we will after the EU, you can always come for a visit up my end for some peace :)
Chriss what do we learn here at WA,, coming out of our comfortable zone will stretch us and strength us so we can grow more :) let me know if you want a getaway lol
So let me get this right - I voted leave, so I'm stupid,short-sighted, blinkered (add whatever other adjective you can think of)?? And for the record, I am neither a racist nor a xenophobe, and I like to consider myself a bit more than a 'not particularly intelligent sector of the population'.
I actually take umbridge on all your remarks/comments above, and find it quite rude that, because the vote didn't go the way you wanted it to, everybody that voted on the 'other' side (52% of the British population, I might add) must be everything you described above.
And, I am very surprised that political rants are allowed on this particular forum.
I did not intend to be rude to anyone Tony, But I don't think that any of us were given the facts that we needed. I would very much like to be proved wrong in my prognosis of what will happen. But you must admit that a number of people were voting to express their general dissatisfaction with this country, and not necessarily with the EU.
I totally agree, and the negative remarks about Trump are not appreciated either, not from me anyway.
As an ex-Brit I understand your concern. The thing is that there are some things that you can't do anything about and you just have to let go. This is one of them. Try to make the best of the political turmoil and stay positive. Change the things you can change and accept the things you cannot change. Otherwise you'll be pulling your hair out.
You are absolutely right Marion, I know `I can't change anything, I am trying to work through these feelings!!
Indeed a great challenge, my friend....
But I see an even bigger source of mourning.
It needs to be addressed on A WORLD SCALE, what gives countries and institutions the right to EXCLUDE PERSONAL SKILL AND EXPERIENCE.
Before this issue is not worked on in THE HAGUE itself, our economies, be they global or national, have a very poor quality and very shallow, mundane value.....
Hey Chrissie;
As an independent observer, here in Canada, I hear what you're saying, but let's leave the dust to settle for a month and see just what DOES happen. I remember when Obama got re-elected last term and every conservative (read that Republican) said that the stock market will tank and gas would be up to $10.00 a gallon, and so on.
Within a month gas had dropped by a dollar and has stayed in that territory, and the stock market is at an all-time high. Also, during this last administration, there were over 2 million new jobs created. Let's see what happen over there with you guys once the dust settles.
"Black Friday'? Maybe, but I tend to be a bit more optimistic and I'll call it "Grey Friday" for now. You mentioned xenophobia. If it were not for that very thing, there would never have been a British Empire; a Spanish Empire or a Roman one either. I agree things 'look' bad, but let's just wait and see.
Check out KatieLee's post: History in the making
Thank you for that Ian, you have made me feel a lot better, and a little bit more optomistic.:-)(
I always try to look at the positive side of everything and everyone.
Check out KatieMac's post. History in the making
Many thanks for your comments Ian. Personally I am not a fan of the way the British Empire was founded, based largely on the slave trade and taking over the government of other countries, e.g. India, against their will. But we can't do anything but wait and see.
Too true Chrissie, the other day somebody commented on Britain being Great in the past, I actually said that we should all be ashamed of the Great British Empire that was built on people lives and traditions. It is nothing to be proud of.
I agree, Chrissie;
When the European countries went out empire building, they destroyed civilizations that had been in place for 300 years or more; the Zulu Confederation, the Buganda Empire, the Sudanese Confederation in Africa; the Indian Maharajahs' rule, the Persian Caliphate, and so on. Britain is not the only culprit. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and even little Portugal were there 'wetting their beaks'. The worst messes, at the end of it all, were left by Britain, Spain and Belgium (the Congo and it's still a mess).
I am a historian and, in many ways, I see this vote in that context. Yes, they voted to leave the EU, but what will be the long term effects of that leaving? Will the EU die? No. Will the UK wither on the vine and fall off? I think not. You folks have been living on the edge of a "dream" for at least 2 centuries with the Empire. That dream may not be there now, but its aftereffects will go on ad infinitum due to what the Empire accomplished as an entity.
You will come out of this smelling like roses I'm sure.
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Ah Chrissie I absolutely feel your distress.
And so it would appear that undisguised racism is now a legitimised political campaigning strategy. A campaign centred around hatred, fear and hysterical misinformation which The Daily Mail and The Sun (Murdoch) jumped on with their usual jingoistic flag-waving nationalism.
This is largely (but not exclusively) the result of a dumbed down section of society, quite literally an 'ignorant' mass of people, soaking up every word they read in the gutter press and taking it as fact. A large wedge of whom can not even write a coherent sentence in their own language, but when they do it is to trot out that same old racist rant about migrants "coming over here and stealing our jobs". Ha! The very thought of some of those people getting up off their arses from in front of the Jeremy Kyle Show and getting a job!
Boris Johnson looked like he'd been hit by a train when he appeared this morning, and not like a man who had just achieved everything he had fought for. He actually looked like a man who had fought a fight, never expecting to - or wanting to - win it, but to be seen as some kind of figurehead, and now he has his Brexit he is in a complete panic as to what to do next. His old Bullingham buddy Cameron has rightly left him fully exposed to the firestorm that's coming his way in the next two years as GB untangles itself from the Union.
UKIP with a mandate. I would never have imagined it, and their completely hapless leader last night declaring that they'd won, 'and not a single bullet fired'. WTF Mr Farage??? Were bullets going to be your next tactic if you'd failed?
Laughable, if it wasn't so very depressing.
Oh merrie Englanders. The empire is long gone. What have you done?
A very sad day for this proud Irishman and proud European.
I agree with everything you say Jon. so please check this out and sign it if it appeals to you
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/131215
Almost 2 million signatures so far, and going up rapidly, so Parliament will have to take notice!! :)
I signed it last night Chrissie. Over 2 million now.
This is unprecedented in history. Interesting times ahead, that's for sure.
Great Jon!! Its going up so fast, they have to take notice!!