Today the UK has had, by a very small (and I mean razor thin margin) voted to exit the EU. This post is not written to praise or condemn this act. This post is borne of my frustration at the reaction to this referendum. I feel, as I am sure many of you do, the ever widening divide of the nation we live in. In some ways this shows the level of involvement of people in what is most definitely one of the most important issues our country has faced in decades and for that, I applaud you all. You have engaged in a debate that affects the country as a whole and you are passionate no matter what side you are on. This referendum cannot be sidelined as having had apathy from the general public, and we saw turn outs at polling stations that general elections dream of. But now that the votes are in, and we are out, I have seen some of the most awful hate and bile being spewed in every direction. We are now, more than ever an island on our own and we are totally divided. Unfortunately there are too many out there on the remain side that, at this very moment are making vile and broad comments about every leave supporter. And I (and this is my own opinion) think that you are not only widening this divide of the nation, but are actively blocking anyone who was unsure or who was firmly on the leave side from ever-reversing their decision, or seeing your point of view.
I have seen people state that their IQ is so high that they could never have voted leave and anyone that did is a bigoted, xenophobic racist with the IQ of a pancake. How do you think those people will react to this? How can you open a dialogue with this type of sentiment? And more importantly have you ever taken the time to see how their lives and situations could have lead to the vote they cast?
This is Bassetlaw hospital, located in an area that saw a leave vote of 67%
Looks lovely doesn't it. Very modern and up and coming.
Here is a beautiful Manchester estate, in an area with a very high leave support:
This is the daily life for too many around the country. These are areas of poverty, and struggle which many remainers have never experienced. Poverty, the residents have been informed, was due to the EU zero hour contract policy, immigration and and whole host of other bullshit by the leave campaign. So put yourself in their position, their daily struggle and ask yourself, "If this was me, would I not jump at the chance to change this", the chance to take back what I have been told is the EU's fault. The highest remain voters were in London. The most affluent city in the country, although I am no stranger to the vast poverty that provides this city's dual nature, it seems, at least, that the most money earned per capita provided the most votes to stay.
I have seen blame put at the feet of the baby boomer generation, ruining the future for the young. And maybe my own experience has altered and made my view biased of this, but, my grandparents helped with the deposit for the house I now live in. The have always helped me when they could and this is true for many I know. It may not be the norm, I can only talk from my experience, but I highly doubt there was any intention by them to cause any harm to a younger generation. This vitriol is normally followed by wanting to take away their vote and start anew, so that the vote will be changed in the remain campaigns favour. Are you so quick to give up your democracy? Are you so willing to take away our freedom to choose, to get the result you want.? Is this not exactly what you demonize the "other side"for doing?
Maybe if you consider the experiences and day to day lives of others, you can see why many voted the way they did. You will never change minds with hatred and name calling. You won't make anyone see your side when its delivered coated in bile and vitriol. This action, the elitist stance and put downs of the leave campaigners has been in part, whether large or small, to the result we now have. Petitions have been raised and article 50 has not been invoked, so there is a tiny ray of light in the corner of the room for the Remain campaign, but the room this shines in is filling up quick with your insults, hostility and loathing, and if it continues, that light will be extinguished permanently, whether right or wrong.
