Britain withdrawing from the EU would do irreparable harm to both the fabric of Britain as well as Europe as a whole!
Although from the United States, I've always seen Great Britain aka England as an integral European partner, despite perhaps the foolish parochialism of those who think of England as somehow "separate" from the Continent:-)
The Brexit campaign is largely based around xenophobia i.e. leaving the EU would supposedly allow the UK to control it's own borders which would mean less migrants coming to the UK.
That is true for the folks that read Daily Fail and/ or vote for UKIP. Most people voting for a Brexit are most likely uncomfortable with the loss of sovereignty to Brussels.
True. Yet without a "concert of Europe" (once proposed by Metternich, if I recall correctly), once more, the continent might be plunged into chaos, both economic and/or martial, with no neutral body to intervene. If the Brexit occurs, what will become of the International Court of Justice in the Hague, the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, or NATO??
I reiterate, the Brexit would be a disaster, for Britain at any rate, FAR WORSE than when Scotland threatened cessession several years back:-)
the Brexit would be a disaster, for Britain at any rate
Maybe not for the UK as a whole, but certainly for the City which would lose most of its business to Frankfurt.
If the Brexit occurs, what will become of the International Court of Justice in the Hague, the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, or NATO?
Nothing would happen. Same EU - just one member down.
One critical member, you mean! Oh, I guess the world, i.e. Europe, won't literally come to an end should Britain decide to exit, but it would most assuredly have severe reprecussions throughout much of the continent.
I'm sure that if you ask the folks on the continent, they would disagree with you. The Brits have never been "real" Europeans; their ruling class is still dreaming of the good old days of the mighty Empire.
where then would Britain turn as she has in the past?
The pro Brexit crowd is talking about reviving the Commonwealth, but honestly - do Canada, Australia, India or New Zealand really need the Brits? How much business can you do with a bunch of poor African nations?
The Brexit campaign is largely based around xenophobia
No argument from me. That fact is why the OUT campaign is bound to fail. There aren't enough xenophobes in Britain. A lot of the immigant population will of course be voting with Boris, Farage et al for OUT- because they fancy themselves as little Britishers who need to protect their home against "those dirty foreigners."
A lot of the immigant population will of course be voting with Boris, Farage et al for OUT- because they fancy themselves as little Britishers who need to protect their home against "those dirty foreigners."
It is true that many we now have almost a class system amongst immigrants or children of immigrants. Muslims especially look down on Romanians and quote often lump all Eastern Europeans together.
I have to contest your statement that "A lot of the immigant population will of course be voting with Boris, Farage et al for OUT" as anyone without a British passport cannot vote in this referendum (unlike local elections)
I for one will be voting for brexit. Makes sense personally for me, its a net gain for the uk and while its might cause some upheaval for the core EU nations, those on the periphery without the euro such as Poland wont be negatively affected net, when fust settles.
Actually some non British citizens are being sent referendum polling cards. A few Polish people have been sent them it stated in the UK media. They have no right to vote but Dave will make sure they do.
"A lot of the immigant population will of course be voting with Boris, Farage et al for OUT" as anyone without a British passport cannot vote in this referendum
Some would if they would have a B - passport. I knew at least three or four that would given a chance.
A few Polish people have been sent them it stated in the UK media
Even if Britain votes to stay, the EU has to get its act together and get rid of flawed 'cornerstones' like freedom of movement or go back to falling apart.
Freedom of movement was never going to work when the countries involved are all so different in terms of economies, welfare systems and so on.
See, whether or not citizens of other foreign countries have the right to vote to alter a foreign countries policies is something not very fond to me. For the British I suppose this is what the elites owe their new found cheap labor and tax cows, but for the regular everyday working class and to a lesser extent middle class Brit I understand their frustration, as they can not be blamed for colonization and the British empire and should have the entitlement to determine autonomy of their ancestral home. I for one would not take part in such a vote, even if entitled to (which oddly enough, can very well be), as to me it is a breach of sovereignty. 'Tis a reason I am apolitical.
Surely there are no citizens of the Republic of Ireland, only of Ireland?
Well the Republic recognises all people born on the island of Ireland as Irish. I was just making the distinction because some people might think that Irish citizen in this case, for voting purposes in Britain might mean only those from Northern Ireland if you get my drift. And yes the country's name is officially Éire (Ireland) and not Republic of Ireland which is merely a descriptive term :)
