tiggy yes you are correct, in that the UK/EU has not always been an easy partnership and there is a history of the topic of leaving the Union being debated in the past decades. I was merely trying to explain that the vast majority of the British public didn't care one jot about leaving the Eu till the irresponsible, lie ridden Leave campaign stirred up emotions against Europe/immigration and the crazy notion that the UK would be better off out than in.
On the topic of British identity mentioned by others. I identy as British as well as my birth nation having lived here for so many decades, being naturalised, having a British spouse and British born children. Is it so difficult to imagine many people feeling both European and British at the same time? Why would a British identity exclude a European identity? The EU was never about losing one's national identity, if you travel and live and work in Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, NL, etc, etc you will observe each country with its own unique cultural heritage, differences, which go deeper than language, and which are just as marked in different regions of the same country as they are here. It is fascinating and rather wonderful. Vive la difference!
The fact remains that Britain is part of Europe geographically and its history is intertwined with European history going right back to the time when the land mass was still one, genetically we are all part of the same ethnic pool and have more in common than not. So why does British identity even enter into the Leave rethoric I honestly do not understand at all.
I think many people have pointed out the economic, political, social fallout and consequences of this Leave vote on this nation better than I can. I am still tapping fingers to see if I can hear a positive case for the Leave vote that doesn't involve xenophobia, prejudice...let alone a robust exit strategy.
I also listened to the Leave camp, even though I wasn't convinced I actually wanted to do the right thing by this country. I had Ian Duncan Smith knocking on my door and none of his arguments rung true to me, it was all too woolly.
It is such a shame that the young generation will not be able to experience free movement, the possibility to work freely in so many fascinating countries, and yes there is a lot wrong with the EU but now there is no possibility to influence it. There is an "ideal" of a united, prosperous European people still maintaining their culture but part of something that ultimately benefits all and secures peace in the future, a peace that makes the loss of so many lives in WW1 and WW2 not a complete waste of human capital, and restores faith in what people can achieve despite their national differences. This is what the Leave campaign has made people vote against.
There are no such high ideals with the Leave rethoric, it is simply not true that Britain is not a sovereign nation able to determine its destiny, it is all scaremongering about uncontrolled immigration. The arguments for isolating Britain from its closest neighbours, the notion that is it better off out as an isolated island is no longer relevant in the hyper connected globalised world we live in.
I feel uncomfortable living here now for the reasons I explained before. I don't see why I should be worried about my foreign accent, and get funny looks when I open my mouth. I can literally "feel" the hostility stirred up by the Hate Leave campaign, and I am not paranoid. I go from outrage to sadness, and feel deeply sorry that in future young people will be robbed of so many opportunities. I was happy to contribute to this society which is also mine, with my taxes, charity work, my friendship and my experiences. As it happens the vote doesn't affect our family that much as we can pretty much go without major upheaval to our lives (and come back as often as we like) and will still have access to both UK and Eu homes, family & passports.
I understand how emotions were stirred with the lies, but people who persist on defending the Leave campaign I do think are deeply misguided still or worse: racist.
I am also very sad to see how this Referendum has split British society...and the country I love.