Won’t we all be relieved when the Referendum is over?
I said I wouldn’t ever bring politics into the Marionfs blog. And this isn’t politics, it’s much more serious than that. It’s a reflection on the sheer nastiness that the Referendum has caused. It seems to have released so much anger and viciousness, ridiculous threats and wild promises in a country that has prided itself on democracy, fair play and decency, and hopefully producing leaders one could look up to.
It’s like Lord of the Flies all over again, but with adults, many of whom are our country’s leaders, and with whom we have entrusted our future. If behaviour like this had broken out on the school playground heads would have been knocked together weeks ago, and stern lectures delivered about growing up, about kindness and consideration for others even if they don’t agree with you, and never thinking you can bully and insult anyone who does not wish to join your gang.
One hopes the dreadful shooting of an MP going about her business supporting her constituents might be a wake up call to all concerned. So I was rather disillusioned to read just now that MPs were instead discussing their own security.
Naively (and maybe they are) I would have liked them also to be discussing together how they might conduct themselves these last few days before the 23rd, and then how they can possibly try to restore some sort of an equilibrium afterwards when so much lasting damage has already been caused by both sides.
Here endeth my heartfelt rant. Forgive me, but like so many others, one feels so helpless and frustrated, and anxious about the future, which ever side ‘wins’.
You’ll have to wait until the next post to hear about our own little dramas…
Thank you Marion for expressing these views with which I heartily concur. Best wishes from Suffolk, Mike
Mike, this seemed to come on twice, with Gill’s name added the second time. A sort of echo effect, but then Suffolk is a long way away. Seriously though, I’m glad you agree. I don’t normally expect to go so heavy, but things have got to an unpleasant pitch, haven’t they? It’s frightening.
Thank you Marion for expressing these views with which we heartily concur. Best wishes from Suffolk, Mike & Gill
Yes, thank you Marion. The Referendum was a right dog’s dinner even before the dreadful event yesterday with debate of the lowest common denominator focusing mainly on ‘othering’ the foreigner or our very necessary working immigrants. And then the dreadful murder of someone who was such a wonderful person. We lost a bright star yesterday and I feel sickened by the whole situation. We have to speak up – well done you x
Thank you, Penny. Yes, the whole affair has been been thoroughly disillusioning, thoroughly shameful. Let’s hope that the terrible murder of Jo Cox may shock all concerned into at least conducting the last few days before the referendum in a more civilised fashion. Whatever the outcome, the outlook for the future is compromised.
Well, this really is from Gill, and I could not agree more with what you say, Marion. It was irresponsible to call a referendum in the first place. The ordinary man in the street does not understand the economic or political argument, and parrots the latest headline from the tabloids. One hopes the tragic death of this beautiful, brave woman will bring some people to their senses, but it may be a vain hope.
Gill, I do hope you are right, about people – all of us from our leaders to ‘the man in the street’ and the media – being brought to our senses. Even so, it is alarming to think that the future of the country will be decided by people, again, that’s most of us, on a guess or a whim or a grudge. We’ve needed facts, we’ve been spun wild promises and violent threats.
Hear, hear Marion, very succinctly put. I am as concerned about how the divisiveness caused by this referendum campaign will be repaired as I am about the outcome. Let’s hope that the better aspects of society save us from the worst. Best wishes and keep blogging!
Marilyn, I fear for the future too, like you, whatever the outcome. The job will be that much harder – let’s hope you’re right as actually you probably are, about the better aspects of society prevailing, quietly, while some of the less decent minority make a lot of noise!