A pledge to spend the “dividend” secured by staying in the European Union on nationwide regeneration is being drawn up by senior Remain strategists ahead of a possible second referendum. In anticipation of a fresh poll, they are developing plans for a grassroots campaign that will operate without a traditional figurehead.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/08/remain-leaders-and-rivals-gear-up-for-second-referendum-campaign-with-new-pledge-on-nhs-funding?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Good friends dating back to my Young Socialist days in Wembley in the early-1960s, all of whom are still in the Labour Party and voted against Brexit, as did Susan and me, and all are committed Europeans. One’s daughter is now a French citizen with a French husband and family, another has a sister living in Paris the past 40 years and third married a German. All of them oppose a second referendum, believing it will be more damaging than the first. Susan dreads the repetition of the 1st referendum and until a couple of hours ago I hung onto the idea that a 2nd referendum was our best chance to save us from ourselves.
Wembley South Young Socialists at Southend-in-Sea in 1961. From left: Perry, Robert (me), Sam and Dave. I was 17.
This evening the above article and opening paragraph changed my mind. It speaks for itself and reminds me of the ‘Leave’ bus with its £350million NHS message. To reduce the EU to money reveals a complete lack of understanding of the European ideal that so many of us have spent a lifetime aspiring to.
The European ideal is strong enough to survive Brexit. It is time for MPs to earn their keep and make the decision, then face the voters and for those MPs to be given a clear run (ie. pro-Europe voters unite behind one candidate). I believe such honesty and courage will win enough support to carry the day and see off the Brexiteers.
As I have said in this blog more than once, I have an Irish father and I am proud of the fact despite not knowing him.
The story of four wartime boys from Wembley, Sudbury and Harrow who became friends when they joined the Labour Party as Young Socialists is nothing special. I just wish so many others like us, now in their 70s, looked at their own lives as closely, than perhaps, just perhaps, they might join us in seeing the madness of Brexit and why we have to look beyond ourselves, however hard that might be.
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