How'd you vote in an E.U. referendum?

[Margaret Pilkington]

Eric, I don't think we will ever be given the 'in or out' vote.
If we do get to vote, it will be on some convoluted issue, and couched in terms that make a general understanding difficult.

I do not consider myself European. Geography makes me English, British if pushed....and yes it does make us different.

Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Eric

How does one avoid being "insular" when one lives on an island.

Come to think of it, I've never thought of the British as being "European", even when I lived there. Living on an island, surrounded by that big, beautiful moat, makes the folks there different from those on the mainland.

I can't vote because I'm a Canadian citizen, and, surprisingly, under 18 However, if I could, I would vote "out".

It will be interesting to see if any of the major parties makes membership in the EU (either "in" or "out") a plank in their official platform. I very much doubt it, except maybe for the Lib-Dems, and the way they are going it seems as if "major" is not an appropriate adjective for the party.

By the way, Happy Thanksgiving, eh.

Sadly the last Labour government reneged on a pre-election pledge that we would have a referendum on the E.U. treaty.

The lying snakes.

Encouraging news...

BBC News - 100,000 sign petition calling for EU referendum

Even more so, because there's some cross-party support.

From those better able to judge the mood of the country, outside of their protective political bubble.

Apparently Super Ed's none too keen on a yes/no referendum though.

Saying there won't be one if he becomes Prime Minister.

(Dream on Dobbin.)

Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: Ed Miliband rules out referendum on EU

Still, that's at least one (No) vote he's got.

From me...come the next election.

[garinda]

If this Government e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it 'could' prompt the issue being discussed in a parliamentary debate.

Britain wants referendum to leave EU - e-petitions

It currently stands at 34,893.



Er...34,894.

[Margaret Pilkington]

that will be.......34,895 now.

Thanks for the link G!

[Wynonie Harris]

Signed up, cheers, Gary.

What a disgrace that our so-called democratic politicians have to be dragged kicking and screaming into even discussing an issue that is of great concern and has huge implications for the British people.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

Signed up, cheers, Gary.

What a disgrace that our so-called democratic politicians have to be dragged kicking and screaming into even discussing an issue that is of great concern and has huge implications for the British people.

Although our elected member at Westminster thinks a referendum would be very close, the straw poll on her seems to say different, doubt if we will be give the opportunity to put it too the test

[mobertol]

A couple of questions -I still haven't made up my mind, but I'm almost there.

When did the e-petition start? (Just to work out how many a day are subscribing to it)

How many people are on the electoral register in the UK? (To work out what % 100,000 is)

I've read this thread through and a few others recently about the subject of a referendum. There seems to be a very vocal group for, not much against but i can't get an idea of the number of the apathetic group -who probably form the majority. How many people use this site actively - I don't want to be a spoilsport or anything -i think i'm more a realist than an idealist these days.
The problem is always the same that so few people actually bother to get interested in things if they don't feel personally touched by them and people really have got blasé about the importance of the actual right they have to vote and have forgotten it's real power if used.
My fear is that even if there was a referendum; which is dubious as none of the politicians in power or in opposition currently want there to be one; that actual turnout would be so low as to result in there not being a quorum. I would, of course, have to organise a postal vote - minor hassle - I think I can see myself lining up with a detachment from the E.U. though ... (Still haven't voted)

[garinda]

I am the apathetic.

Or was until recently.

This is wrong.

Period.

The British people voted to join an economic trade alliance.

That certainly isn't what the European Union is today.

What has happened, and will continue to happen, is too important an issue for this country's future, to ignore.

[garinda]

...and before those who live abroad get too jittery, if the U.K. wasn't in the E.U., my best friends live in Gran Canaria, and by far the greatest number of foreigners living there are Norwegians.

Norewgian banks, school, shops, radio station, newpapers, the whole caboodle.

People who come from a country with a strong economy, and are welcomed to live where they like...all as non-E.U. members.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by garinda

I am the apathetic.

Or was until recently.

This is wrong.

Period.

The British people voted to join an economic trade alliance.

That certainly isn't what the European Union is today.

What has happened, and will continue to happen, is too important an issue for this country's future, to ignore.

Trust me.

It's our elected politicans, who for whatever reason, who are suffering from apathy.

Vast numbers of oridinary people are utterly sick and tired of what's happening, and are demanding a say in their own destiny...before it's too late.

[Stumped]

Since you have become a graduate of the Westminster Brain Washing College, Graham, it is hardly surprising that your views are aligned with those of your lacklustre paymasters. The sooner the powers that be are FORCED into following the will of the people, the sooner we will escape the clutches of Brussels . . . and the nation as a whole is bound to benefit from it.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Stumped

Since you have become a graduate of the Westminster Brain Washing College, Graham, it is hardly surprising that your views are aligned with those of your lacklustre paymasters. The sooner the powers that be are FORCED into following the will of the people, the sooner we will escape the clutches of Brussels . . . and the nation as a whole is bound to benefit from it.

We've certainly had our disagreements in the past, and if we're united in our thinking, it shows people across a whole spectrum of society demand a right to have their say, about their future.

Admittedly Accy Web is just a small cross-section of the populous.

But you can't ignore the fact that the vast majority of people, regardless of political allegiances, want a referendum on whether we should be E.U. members, or not.

No candidate, no political party, who doesn't actively support, and give a cast iron gurantee there will be a referendum, will get my vote...ever again.

Talking to others, I'm not alone.

Some better wise up, to public, rather than political opinion, rather quickly.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by mobertol

When did the e-petition start?

As far as I can make out, it was started in March.

Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: Campaign for EU referendum starts

It's risen by nearly 100 in the last twenty four hours.

[Margaret Pilkington]

A lot of people who probably would vote against the EU will know nothing about this petition...you have to have a computer and be computer literate to access it.
Many people of my mothers generation(and there are still a far number of them about) will not be either of those things........but would vote.

I'm pretty sure that apathy was a factor in us going into the EU(though it was the EEC back then) in the first place. I think if people had really realised what the great long term aims were, they would have acted differently...or at least I hope they would.

I feel like we, as a nation, were sold down the river.

[ossylass]

Signed, Gary. Thanks for the link.