Over the past weeks we have published several views on the EU Remain or Leave debate. The first was from Christopher Jackson, a former MEP, explaining why he was going to vote Remain. Then we had two farmer's views, Simon Wright, who on balance, felt we should Leave and then Frank Langrish who argued for Remain. A number of our readers have added their own comments.
Whichever side you are on, it is a momentous decision that we, as a country, are about to take and, either way, will affect not only our future but that of our children and their children long after this present generation has gone.
In many, many years of voting in every general election, bye-election and the last referendum on Europe, I have to admit that I am, for the very first time, and with just a week to go, as yet undecided which way my vote will go. And the politicians haven't helped. Every day, it seems, one side or the other comes up with more outrageous claims, to the point where, if they are to be believed (and I stopped believing either side a long time ago) nothing less than Armageddon faces us, whichever way we vote. The Government appears to be tearing itself apart and one wonders how it can come back together after next Thursday, while the official opposition is headed (I hesitate to use the word 'led') by a man who wants to Leave but, if he is to keep his job, has to advocate Remain.
It is said that we get the leaders and politicians we deserve. What on earth have we done to deserve any of this lot? Our local MP is a campaigner for Remain and yet one of our District Councillors - from the same party - has Vote Leave stickers on the windows of the pub she manages (although on every other local issue she appears silent and invisible). The views of the other are not known, perhaps he is toeing the Downing Street line to Remain.
One thing seems to be certain, the case for Leave or Remain is not a clear cut one, there are advantages and disadvantages on both sides. For many of us, I suspect, it will come down to an issue of head versus heart: do we agree with the argument for staying in and having the economic advantages (with the individual benefits that could bring) of being part of the world's largest trading area, or do we continue to regard everything that happens on the other side of the English Channel with the deepest suspicion and go our own way and make our own future without interference from foreigners, as we have done since 1066.
Either way, the result could well be a close run thing, so next Thursday, GO AND VOTE.
REMAIN or LEAVE, either way make your voice and opinion count - it matters.
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