Brexit... my journey to a decision

[Johnny Robbo]

I know that one or two folks have posted their thoughts on the UK leaving the EU, so I thought I'd have my say. I decided to delve into the facts of the issue rather than deciding which way to vote based on media coverage. This is the story of how an undecided voter (with little time for Nigel Farage, by the way) came to a decision on a matter of great import.

I did some (quite a lot, actually) research including reading the text of the 2005 Lisbon Treaty, amongst other things. I formed opinions along the way & changed my mind a couple of times as I found things out that I genuinely didn't know beforehand.

The following blog post reflects the decision I ended up making. It was written after I had concluded which way to vote & whilst it may be at odds with many popular conceptions about the EU, I truly believe I ended up making the right choice, based on the facts that I uncovered. If you disagree, then that's fine... I don't want to fall out with anyone & I respect your views... I just ask that after reading my thoughts on the matter, you afford me the same courtesy. Apologies, by the way... it does go on a bit

https://jrobsonguitar.wordpress.com/2016/07/10/arriving-at-an-informed-decision/

[Oldrottenhead]

i respect your decision johnny and at least you did some research. however i think the EU is pretty democratic, this is worth a read short and to the point http://theconversation.com/how-democratic-is-the-european-union-59419

something that is quite frustrating for us heathen Scots, is the "why do they want to leave the UK to be ruled by Europe". well europe doesn't actually rule us or the UK we are pretty much equal partners.

However the UK does rule Scotland. They impose laws on us that we cannot opt out of (unlike the EU) that we didn't vote for etc etc. The EU didn't impose a bedroom tax, doesn't enforce us to keep nuclear weapons near our most populated city. etc etc. the UK government does. and now our MPs are not allowed to vote on all topics in the house because we have our own local government. Okay it provides us with free prescriptions and eye tests (something that costs virtually nothing as the admin involved in paying for prescriptions wipes out any saving, so is a political decision rather than a financial/austerity type decision) but at the end of the day decisions made in Westminster over ride anything passed in our kid on government.

and then there is the argument that we are subsidised by the UK

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCrone_report

i agree with you that there are many faults within the EU, but i think leaving means we can't change those faults from within.

i am worried that England has drifted further and further to the right of scotland politically, that has always been the case but seems almost comically exaggerated now.

i hope Scotland can remain in the EU without the turmoil and uncertainty of a further referendum. but my granny is irish so i could get an irish passport and remain a european.

i'll shut up now, but i am still in a deep dark depression as the result of brexit and i go on holiday on thursday with a lot less spending money than i had planned.  bugger 

[thetworegs]

Well said sir I agree with most if not  all you have to say ...but..my gut said out but necessity said in .... So my vote was in.. I was an inner because the wife's company enjoyed European scientific  funding hopefully the new version of the DTI will fund the same instead unless the government austerity drive gets them to keep the excess ...watch this space ... If so you'll see me busking with the 4 kids on a street corner near you ..... With a big sign saying ... I told you so ... The Bastards!!.... And I still think Nigel is a twat .please give generously ....

[SteveB]

Wish the Politics thread on Digital Spy was this civil.
Well done you Songcrafter peeps.