Thursday 27 July 2017

Eurosceptic or Europhobic?



I am sceptical about the political direction of the European Union (EU), and believe fundamental change is needed.  That is ‘Eurosceptic’.  But I voted Remain and am now campaigning to Stop Brexit.  This is because Brexit is not the answer, and any advantages are outweighed by threats to both the UK economy and our culture.


So “Eurosceptics” is not a good term to describe those people who are strongly against membership of the EU. 


Here’s the suggested nomenclature to more clearly describe the four main groups in the ongoing Brexit debate:


VOTED
ATTITUDE
DESCRIPTION
NICKNAME
Remain
Pro-EU, Europhilic
Remainers
Remoaners
Remain
Somewhat Eurosceptic
Remainers
Remoaners
Leave
Eurosceptic
Leavers
-
Leave
Europhobic, Anti-EU
Brexiters*
Brexshitters 
Euroloons

·                                                                                                                                               * Not Brexiteers, which is far too heroic

Both groups who voted Remain are likely to be moaning about Brexit, and campaigning either to stop Brexit or against a 'hard' Brexit. As such their description and nickname can be shared.

But on the Leave side, there seems to be a big difference between those who are:
  • Anti-EU, wanting to be clear of the Single Market and the Customs Union, the ECJ and any other aspect of the EU.  "Europhobic Brexiters".
  • Those who want a closer ongoing relationship with the EU, albeit it formally out of it.  "Leavers"
Satisfying both these groups is one reason why the Government has struggled gto come up with a clear proposal to the EU.  In fact it is impossible, which remains a key issue. 
I wonder how many people are in each group, roughly?  I would imagine that it is much like a normal distribution, say 10:40:40:10.  
 
The concern then is that some 10% of the population are driving the other 90% over the cliff. 


That’s not democracy.  The referendum was a ‘starting gun’.  A project as risky as Brexit needs continual review, and if necessary a stop. There were no formal review points planned, but effectively they are provided by each Brexit Bill that goes through Parliament.  There are eight Bills in total, with the first being the "European Union (Withdrawal) Bill 2017-19", debated on 7 September.  


We have till then to get MPs to vote it down.  Here’s how – see the “Affect on Brexit”section.

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