I have nothing to say (but i said it anyway)

[thisbluespirit]

We just left the EU. I didn't think it would really happen when it came to it. The thing is, regardless of what rational reasons there might be to vote Leave (because life and politics is always complex, regardless of where I stand in them), this campaign wasn't run on them; we didn't hear any of them - it was run from start to finish on pure hate for all 'foreigners'. And 72% of Britons came out and voted, 48% Remain, 52% Leave. And a good portion of the Remain vote was Scotland alone, so England (and sadly even Wales) is even more proportionally to blame.

My country is a xenophobic, racist country. It's official. We voted Leave because we have an island mentality and we hate the rest of Europe and all immigrants. It would be lovely to think it was at least for other reasons, but that's not what the Leave campaign was about, so I don't have the luxury of clinging to illusions . I'd really, really have liked to believe that the Leave people were a noisy unpleasant minority, but they're not. They're at least half of us and so we'd risk economic collapse, all for hate, misplaced blame and flag-waving. (But, Europe, nearly half of us don't hate you. What can we say?)

What the practical fall-out will be, who knows. It looks like we're set for more recession at least in the short term and possibly Boris Johnson as PM by October. I just hope, the political climate being what it is, none of the rest of these right-wingers in Europe feel inclined to follow our example. The world needs the other countries to at least try and be better than us. It shouldn't be too difficult right now.

Comments

[thisbluespirit]

I think most of us thought it wouldn't really happen. But while I can't think it was the right decision and I am horrified at the clear level of nationalism & bigotry on display, it's also being something of a wake up call, here and in Europe - so maybe, in the end good will come of it. I think we should all try to make sure it does.

But, yeah, last night I hoped come this morning it'd all be over and done with & we could get on with things, and now we're quite seriously contemplating not only leaving the EU but the break-up of the UK.

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

Shoot, us over here on the other side of the Pond were thinking it wouldn't happen! We were hoping it wouldn't because (selfishly) it would give us hope for our own problems over here *coughTrumpcough*. But considering we lead the way in xenophobic, exceptionlism, nationalism and outright bigotry, this has put us all in a state of fear. Your lovely, outgoing MP died and the nation turned its back on her. That is horrifying. I hope some good comes ofthis. I hope it is the wake-up call needed...but the breakup of the UK (at this point) outlines how much this whole mess has blown up in everyone's faces. I'm crossing my fingers that it gets better, but I cringe at the hellride you are all in for at this point.

I am hoping beyond hope that the problems with the EU work themselves out. That this truly is a turning point for everyone involved and that it comes out better than it could ever be expected. But then, we're dealing with human beings...and sometimes, it has to get worse before it gets better. Let's hope this is the 'worse'. :(

Heard Cameron resigned...which should be a bright point, but it just feels like he put the tempest in the teapot, let the UK release it then ran away like a little bitty bug that he is. *is disgusted*

[thisbluespirit]

You don't have to copy us. Maybe it will remind some moderates that you have to get out there and vote, you can't trust other people to get it right! *hugs you* Take heart - these two things don't necessarily follow. But i can understand the fear - I felt thoroughly sick when our current gov't got back in last year.

There is a huge amount of xenophobia and bigotry involved, but I think also it's partly a huge anger from the working classes at being shafted. Maybe aimed at the wrong gov't, because they stand to lose most now - but it does show how broken things are. Until now, people have been pretending they weren't - so maybe, in the end, it will be a wake up call. I think we all need to hope so and do what we can. We can't hate half the country back - it won't help anything.

And the murder was tragic, but Jo Cox's husband didn't lash out at today's victory: he tweeted this.

The scary thing is about whether we inspire anyone else to leave the EU - but let's hope not!

ETA: And, yes, Cameron does seem to have run quite fast, but I don't know what to think about that, right now. If only Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson had run away instead!

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

Certainly hope you're right, dear!

True. The working classes all over have been angry for a long time. Having to pick between paying bills and eating will do that. Especially when you bust your hump for (most of the time) 60+ hours with nothing to show for it. And yeah, hate never solves anything. Hoping a lot of people will realize that.

What a marvelous man. He does his wife (and his country) credit. Blessings to him and his small ones.

Gosh, I hope not!! I really, really do...

Right?!?! OMG...