Say no to Brexit [Stoat]

This indecision’s bugging me
(Esta indecision me molesta)
If you don’t want me set me free
(Si no quieres librame)
Exactly who I’m supposed to be
(Digame que tengo ser)
Don’t you know witch clothes even fits me?
(Sabes bruja ropa me queda)
Come on and let me know
(Me tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I blow?
(Me debo ir o quedarme)

I thought the mixed-in Spanish verse was a nice touch for a post about Europe.

This post is largely for me to record my own opinion, so that in later years I can read it and realise how foolish I was. Or how wise; time will tell. But unlike, say, GW vs denialism (the denialists are bozos) or Vim vs Emacs (gvim, of course) or Perforce vs Git (p4, naturally) I don’t have a very strong opinion on Brexit.

Perhaps I can explain that at least in part by pointing you at the closest thing I’ve seen in a public statement to my own opinion, which is a column in the Torygraph by Matthew Parris. Who has a better marathon time than JA or Maz, so his views must be taken seriously. Like me, he is keen on the idea of Europe in theory, but has no love for the institutions of the EU as currently constituted; not happy to be in the company of those who wish to leave (Timmy excluded, of course); and wonders what knock-on effects there might be on the world at large. Certainly, now seems a poor time to be rocking the boat. We seem to have stumbled into this whole mess by accident; volume n of “the Tory party tears itself to pieces over Europe”, wished on the rest of us only because Cameron accidentally and unexpectedly won a majority and had to make good on his promises.

My own views were crystallised when I asked my 18 year old just-eligible-to-vote-this-year son how he would vote. I expected indecision and not-really-thought-about-it; instead, I got an instant “In”, and when pressed for why, an excellent reason: because he wants the option to easily work anywhere in Europe.

I’ve seen so many words about this whole thing, and so few of them seem to be worthwhile. Almost all the arguments put forward either for or against appear besides the point, unreliable, or wrong.

Another question is, “Could Brexit be a good thing for Europe?” The FT considered this and pretty well everyone agreed that the answer was No: Brexit would be bad for the EU. I agree with that. We’re mostly deciding for ourselves, I suppose, but shouldn’t be selfish.

The stupid way the EU tries to beat up Google is another reason to dislike it; but a relatively minor one; Google will outsmart them. Would you rather trust the EU or Google to do something useful? Google, obvs.

In a vague nod to the ostensible topic of this blog, The Economist notes the odd connection between Brexy-ness and GW denialism; but the thought doesn’t really go anywhere.

This draft was started about a month ago. I rather hoped to tidy it up into something more coherent before publishing it, but if I keep on at this rate it will be after the referendum; so I’ll just press “publish” in its current state.

Refs

* Anything goes
* Jump!
* Caius, Pembroke, Maggie and Clare

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