Europe

Am I only one that's frankly horrified that the government are handing over the whole EU in EU out decision to the great British public?

In contrast I am overjoyed that the government are empowering us all to have a say.  To get involved in the decision making process.  Having a referendum so that we can all let our opinions  be heard. But EU in or EU out?  That's like the hardest question on University Challenge, isn't it? 

I am a fan of the referendum and slightly excited.  The last one was in 1975, the year of my birth, so I had to miss that one out.  And as the most opinionated person I know I am chuffed to be able to get involved.  But EU in or EU out? What the sodding hell does the average Joe, including me,  know about that? Really?

Couldn't they have started the referendum phenomenon with something a bit easier.  Something that wouldn't take huge amounts of brain power.  You know, help the whole country get in to the swing of things.  Like "Yes or No - do you want a £5 coin?    There.  That's better.  Because I can answer that with my opinion, because I know what I think.  And because that's a simple yes or no answer.  And whatever the outcome of the referendum  - no one gets hurt, nothing major is going to happen and life carries on.  Simple.  But instead, the government start us off on a decision that even the hardiest politician loses the will to live when its mentioned. 

Now, I'm not stupid but to make an informed decision I'm going to have to do my homework,  And I will.  Because its important to get this right.  But I am slightly overwhelmed with the responsibility and realistically think we should all be on the MP's payroll ( but that's a whole 'nother story.)  And how many others are going to do their homework?  Or will they just turn up, close their eyes and mark a cross where the pencil lands?

I love the great British public and I am immensely proud to be one of them.  But lets just think about this for a minute.  As an example , every weekday morning we have the Jeremy Kyle show.  And have done for over 10 years.  That's a lot of people who have appeared on that show from the great British public.  And being hugely judgemental and stereotypical they aren't always the full ticket, if you get my drift.  And that's not being nasty - its just unpleasantly true.   We have people in this country that dial 999 to complain that their chilli sauce was missing from the kebab they just had delivered.  We have people who complain to their travel agent because the beach outside of their beach front hotel was too sandy.  And how many people phone in to vote on XFactor despite being told repeatedly that the phones lines are not yet open.  Do you see what I am saying?  All of us will get the chance to decide.  And sometimes that's not a good idea, not a good idea at all.

And how can we make an informed decision when those asking us to make the decision all have different opinions?  The select Conservatives that want "out"  think differently than David Cameron.  So, who's right?  They both give good reasons ( I think but I haven't got a bloody clue, so who knows? ) I mean, I try to listen to David, I really do,  but I often end up thinking about what I am cooking for dinner when he talks.  In fact, that pretty much goes for any politician talking.   

And we must have a huge amount of people who will vote "no" because they aren't keen on Europe.  They went to Spain, once in 1972 and it rained the entire time and those bloody Germans nicked all the sunbeds with their sodding towels.  What about those?  I know my nan would have been one of them.  ( had a spicy curry once and wanted down with everything foreign )  Its scary but its true.  Immigration, I fear,  will become confused with all of this and a large number of people will vote "no" because they think this will close our borders.  And I genuinely feel no amount of homework is going to make this decision easy.  So, where's the logic in getting us to decide?

Can we say we want out for say, 6 months?  See how we get on, on our own?  And if its shit then we could just ask to come back.   But I am suspecting that once we turn our back Angela Merkel and co, will give us dirty looks, pull our hair when we are not looking and stick "kick me" post its on our arse.  And then we go cap in hand begging to come back she'll just punch us in the face, while doing the two fingered salute and run to the other side of the playground.

I'm worried.  Proper worried that this is going to be a disaster.  I really hope that I am wrong, but I can't yet see a positive.

And as my parting gift to you.  My son, who is old enough to vote therefore old enough to take part in this referendum probably doesn't even know what EU stands for.  Let that sink in.

So, once I've finished watching Jeremy Kyle I'm going to log on to some website and do some reading.  If I have time after Facebook.  And I reckon I'll probably vote "no".  I bloody hate those French.....