Starting to feel really scared now...

[Crimson72]

I’m feeling incredibly anxious about Brexit, today more than ever. I think it’s because of the new Question Time, where everyone was cheering that Isabelle Oakshotte woman when she advocated no deal.

I’m terrified my home is going to drop into negative equity and I won’t be able to keep up the mortgage payments, and that my business could go under. I know these fears are immaterial when compared with some other people’s, who worry they could lose access to life saving medicine.

Is there anything anyone can say to reassure me even just a little bit - that no deal might end up not being as bad as people are predicting; or even better, that the whole thing is called off or we get a PV and remain wins? What’s the likelihood of that?

I just need a glimmer of hope right now...

Lexilooo

Yep, I agree.

The referendum should never have been held and yes, it's far too complex an issue for anyone to understand - even those whose job it is to understand it.

The referendum should never have been held and yes, it's far too complex an issue for anyone to understand - even those whose job it is to understand it

Totally agree and its why we should press the abort key, a true leader is someone who can change public opinion and perception... not just follow it.

I knew about grapes and being tired and sweaty, not the wine.
Except the gallons of the low grade product we put away in the evenings.

I just don’t have faith in most politicians to act in our best interests.

I think what's been interesting about Brexit-watching has been spotting the politicians (of all parties) who have been capable of putting country before party/personal ambition/personal ideology. There are a few on both sides of the commons.

First things first. Have you expressed your concern to your MP ?

I have, loads. She probably thinks I'm a pest. Don't think in my case it will make any difference at all but it makes me feel better knowing I've done it!

{Except the gallons of the low grade product we put away in the evenings.}
Fruit induced amnesia would explain it!
Like the weeks/months of sleep deprivation following a new baby, you swear you wouldn't do it again, except you do.

@Crimson72 the lib dems will never get in if people keep saying they won't vote for them because they won't get in.

It is like people say they don't vote because it won't make a difference, if everyone who doesn't vote did it would change everything.

The only way to get change is to vote for it, and I appreciate that the first past the post system and some constituency boundaries make this difficult but we must try.

I would like there to be a much more varied choice in higher education e.g 1 year technical courses like they have in Germany. These are well respected in Germany and a good route into a decent job. May did briefly mute setting up more of these but this is yet another thing that’s been put on the back burner due to Brexit.
Don’t get me started on Goves’ reforms and what they have done to vocational education- they have led to many schools cutting vocational courses altogether as they no longer count towards their results. At my relatives school, this means courses on catering, hospitality, design and craft, basically anything non-traditional. Really depressing as a lot of kids when straight into jobs from school based on the experience gained from these (the school specialised in catering and hospitality and had really good staff in this field). Again, nothing to do with the EU, everything to do with conservative policy making.

The LibDems made themselves unelectable after they sold themselves out to join the coalition government and in doing so betrayed the people that voted for them.

Austerity was part of the Maastricht Treaty. It’s to do with debt and GDP. Debt must not be more than 3% of GDP. That’s how I read it. That’s why the government had to get the debt down.

@crimson72
Four things that have made me feel better:

1. Write to your MP. Even if they're a No Deal kinda guy (or gal). Just do it, let them know your thoughts and feelings. Get it off your chest. And continue to badger them anytime anything important is in the pipeline.
2. Inform yourself. Read the papers, both left and right -leaning, get on Twitter to read opinions and find out how they match the cold hard facts.
3. If you live within travelling distance of Westminster, grab a flag or a banner and get down to the daily SODEM protests outside the Houses of Parliament. Steve Bray, the guy in the EU top hat you see in the news, has been protesting outside every day that Parliament has sat since summer 2017. Every Mon-Thu they are there and they would welcome your support, even if only for a couple of hours. There are some great and interesting people down there (on both / all sides) and lots of chit-chat. If you don't live near enough, join your local pro-Remain group and do some leafleting or canvassing in your area - get out there and talk to people, try to address their concerns about being in the EU. Don't be afraid to challenge friends and colleagues in a non-confrontational way. Make people take responsibility for their choice to vote leave.
4. If you can afford it, lay in some stocks. I did a whole extra shop of non-perishables, almost all things we use every week anyway so there won't be any waste it it's not used for a no deal in March. I feel so reassured knowing that we have enough food, medications, toiletries for 3-4 weeks stashed away if the worst happens. Providing the water and power stays on of course!

Practical baby steps, that's all we can do. Even if it doesn't seem much, just dont let the weeks slip by grumbling but doing nothing.

Op, I think we will find out more on Monday when Teresa May tables plan b. It won't be the end game, but hopefully it will be clearer.

If she has a sensible, workable plan b that won’t leave us poorer (and hungrier, and medicationless) then I’ll show my arse in Harrods’ window. She’s like a dog with a bone, it must be done and bugger the consequences.

seegeantPfeffer

Totally agree - vocational and technical training in the UK needs to be much improved, better funded (by a thousand percent!) and stop being regarded as ‘second best’.

Managing debt is good governance irrespective of treaties - austerity was the approach chosen, they could have gone for managed growth and infrastructure investment. They chose a vicious circle of cuts rather than any kind of virtuous circle - and blamed it all on labour.

Absolutely nothing to do with the EU. Since the vote the UK has dropped below France and India to 7th position and brexit stagnation means we are still falling.

Austerity was part of the Maastricht Treaty. It’s to do with debt and GDP. Debt must not be more than 3% of GDP. That’s how I read it. That’s why the government had to get the debt down.

The UK does not - and never has - looked to the EU for budget approval (or indeed any other form of approval).

The UK is a sovereign country and sets it's own budget.

Countries that adopted the Euro agreed on budget limits as part of the adoption - which was one (of several) reasons the UK did not join the Euro.

It’s not to do with budget approval. It was the Government who decided how the Austerity would happen. I would have borrowed cheap money and invested in the country and eventually made money. But what do I know. I sell a product all over the world!

In line with the neoliberal model, Maastricht applied monetarist control of inflation. Maastricht also imposed limits on government public spending. This was dictated through limits on government debt and deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product (GDP).

Seems pretty clear cut there and not really in keeping with posters saying that the EU doesn't interfere with domestic politics.

{Seems pretty clear cut there and not really in keeping with posters saying that the EU doesn't interfere with domestic politics.}

The UK is a sovereign country and sets it's own budget.

But the EU set limits, including on government public spending. Did that affect council house building by any chance?

{But the EU set limits, including on government public spending. Did that affect council house building by any chance?}
No. House building is 'controlled' by the main building companies who often have connections with the government, major doners etc.
Building council houses is not as lucrative as 'executive homes'.

So major house builders build houses and then donate them to the council do they?

I'm nit talking about Housing Association houses, I am talking about local authority housing

And regardless of housing it is clear that the EU do regulate some areas of government finances.

As far as I know, the EU sets no limits on UK government spending, nor does it dictate type of spend.
There are EU laws on procurement and tendering, creating a level playing field. EU companies can tender for contracts in the UK (rail companies prob a good example), similarly UK companies can do the same in the EU. So if a contract is limited to UK companies alone, it breaks the rules. The idea is to get best value (this may not necessarily be the cheapest).
Someone else may know more than I do about this.