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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder if people would admit to voting "leave" in the EU Referendum?

330 replies

evilcherub · 20/02/2016 15:38

Apparently there is a lot of inconsistency in answers when pollsters phone people and ask for their decision on Brexit compared to answers given online (respondents are more likely to say they will vote to "remain" on the phone but in online polls say they will vote to "leave"). I wonder if people admitting that they are going to vote "leave" is seen as taboo in the same way that nobody apparently voted for the Tories in the GE Grin. If you are intending to vote "leave" would you admit it to friends and family (especially if you think they are more likely to vote "remain") or are you afraid of being called a Little Englander?

OP posts:
ThroughThickAndThin01 · 20/02/2016 16:34

Sorry I meant to say that because I had that cutting remark, I am more aware of what I am saying to who, and might not admit to certain people if it looks contentious.

splendide · 20/02/2016 16:39

Interestingly, level of education is a very strong indicator of which way people will vote. I don't think that's about intelligence though I think it's about who is likely to be advantaged or disadvantaged by having more cheap immigrant labour.

SaucyJack · 20/02/2016 16:40

I think I want to stay.

I am slightly concerned about losing the protection of the Human Rights convention and being left to nothing but the mercies of IDS and Osborne.

HaveIGotAClue · 20/02/2016 16:42

What's a CLP?

Original poster
evilcherub · 20/02/2016 16:45

splendide - Absolutely. That is why so many luvvies are saying they want to stay in. They don't have to worry about their job being taken by an EU migrant or seeing their wages undercut. They also don't have to compete for housing or a school place from their nice multi-million pound London mansions.

OP posts:
Nottodaythankyouorever · 20/02/2016 16:48

What's a CLP?

Constituency Labour Party.

poemontheocean · 20/02/2016 16:49

Evil - guardian readers?

iPaid · 20/02/2016 16:51

What's a luvvie?

pointythings · 20/02/2016 16:51

I'm investigating what I will need to do in order to naturalise because I'm convinced the vote will be leave. I am also convinced that leaving will be an economic disaster. I'm an immigrant, been here almost 18 years, so I don't have a vote. But my whole life is here, and I don't trust this government not to make life incredibly hard for those of us who are already here.

wasonthelist · 20/02/2016 16:52

luvvies = actors?

wasonthelist · 20/02/2016 16:52

I am also convinced that leaving will be an economic disaster

Why?

DonaldsDuck · 20/02/2016 16:53

I'll be voting to leave, I think most people are fine to admit that, especially in my area.

I do know some people who'll say they're voting to stay just because they think they'll be looked down on for wanting to leave.... silly really.

witsender · 20/02/2016 16:57

I have zero idea. I'm quite well informed politically, yet really don't feel that I have the depth of understanding and political foresight to understand what the economic and social impacts may be over the long term. I could vote on a knee-jerk instinct, but that feels wrong, and most information comes from one side or the other! I always felt that I would research my voting choices well for each election and vote for the person I felt would best represent me and my choices in this type of thing...that said, I def didn't vote Tory so that doesn't help me now!

wasonthelist · 20/02/2016 16:57

SaucyJack

The European Convention on Human Rights isn't related to our EU membership. We signed it in 1953, way before we joined what became the EU. Leaving the EU wouldn't destroy our Human Rights.

HaveIGotAClue · 20/02/2016 16:57

I'm Irish - am I allowed to vote? Keep getting letters in the door about registering to vote.

In any case - I'm still undecided. But, when I have made a decision and I am confident in that decision, I have absolutely no qualms about admitting it telling all and sundry who are willing to listen, all about my reasoning

For now, I feel that it would be chaotic in the short term and unpredictable in the long term how Britain would fare out if they leave. They also appear to have negotiated a deal somewhat which irons out some of the major issues.

In terms of staying, defence seems to be the biggest case 'for'.
In terms of exiting, controlled immigration and removing EU dictation seem to be the biggest cases 'for'.

Financially, it seems to be all a bit hazy though. That, or I'm too thick to comprehend the issues.

Incidentally, as an Irish person, if the 'leave' vote gets it, this would see the return of border controls between North and South of Ireland again. This could be disastrous for 'peace'.

ILoveACornishPasty · 20/02/2016 16:58

Vote shaming really upsets me. I read every manifesto at every election (I even read the God awful first ever UKIP one which was huge!!) and make my decision based on those and other factors I am familiar with so that I can at least make an educated-if not popular-vote. Surely that's the beauty of democracy that we should be so grateful to have? Yet I voted conservative and this makes me all manner of nasty expletives if you read threads online-I don't have Facebook but am told it's the same. I actually haven't decided what I'll vote in the referendum but whatever I decide will be decided after I've given myself as much education on it as I can and will be based on my own opinion. Doesn't make me right or wrong, just means I live in a land where my vote matters, and I'll not be slating anyone for voting either way.

BlueJug · 20/02/2016 16:58

I would admit it. I have not decided but am leaning towards leave.

I would not discuss politics at all with people who used terms like "Little Englander" or called racist / UKIPper/idiot.

I would discuss politics and therefore my view with people who know that it is a complex question which has points to be made on both sides

wasonthelist · 20/02/2016 16:58

witsender

I think it's pretty unknowable what would happen - so it's hard to vote based on outcomes predicted on either side - they can't be sure of much.

Changedtoday · 20/02/2016 16:59

I'm with you pointy my application went in in November, been here 25 years and have nothing to go back to. I grew up on the European ideal, it allowed me to build a life here, and I'm not sure how I'm going to survive the next few months, even if my naturalisation came through in time.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 20/02/2016 16:59

slendide which way are they saying the education thing is going? More highly educated = leave or stay? I haven't twigged this at all.

splendide · 20/02/2016 17:01

More highly educated = more likely to vote to stay.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 20/02/2016 17:01

Ah thanks.

wasonthelist · 20/02/2016 17:01

Incidentally, as an Irish person, if the 'leave' vote gets it, this would see the return of border controls between North and South of Ireland again.

Not sure this would have to happen.

OttiliaVonBCup · 20/02/2016 17:02

I'm very much European and I haven't decided how I will be voting. I'm leaning towards leave now, but that might change.

I don't think voting either way is anything to be ashamed of.

HaveIGotAClue · 20/02/2016 17:03

www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2016/01/graphics-britain-s-referendum-eu-membership

For anyone interested - there's a relatively clear-cut explanation/diagram thingy in the above article on the implications of In or Out.

And to answer the ACTUAL question you asked (apologies for going off-topic), yes, there may be a little bit of political-correctness involved!