April 19, 2016

Europe; in or out?

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The political question facing Britain at present revolves around our relationship with Europe. A vote is to be taken during which we must decide; do we remain part of the European Union or re-imagine the relationship by exiting? It is a big decision with many ramifications and therefore requires calm consideration. Which way should we go?

The problem I have, and I cannot be alone, is that calm consideration seems impossible in the present climate. Because those in favour of Brexit, as it is termed, and those in favour of remaining in, are spewing forth more heat than light. Both sides favour scare tactic polemics to paint a picture of inevitable Armageddon should their favoured outcome lose out. Which is  frustrating because it makes the job of actually grasping reliable facts very tricky indeed.

Last week the Catholic bishops of England and Wales pitched in to the debate. Like other powerful voices they urge us to remain in the union. But of course when bishops speak in this way, it is not binding or linked to faith. They may speak but we are not obliged to follow. Each must make a decision with integrity. So follow this advice as you see fit, I guess.

For me, as ever with politics, I am not at all clear on which way to vote. So I would be grateful- in the comments section -for links to impartial and reliable information. The sort that might help little people, like me, reach sound decision. Apologies to Mr Cameron but multi million pound tax funded leaflets from central government do not scream impartiality!  Nor does our mass media, and especially the BBC, who so obviously work for powerful elites and not the man on the street. Where can one go today for genuine balanced coverage?

It leaves me on the fence. On the one hand I see how Britain leaving the European Union could have a destabilising effect on a fractured West. Any exit could have a domino effect, sparking a trend for nationalism and hurting already vulnerable nations and people. The danger here is that power shifts to those who do not believe in love of neighbour. Anything that might fuel racism and distrust must be avoided.

But, on the other hand, the current situation seems woeful. The EU claims huge amounts of tax payer’s money and it is hard to see where it goes. There are rumours of a gravy train for political classes and of serious corruption. And the project itself is mired in secrecy. So many laws passed in Brussels by a faceless bureaucracy whose agenda we cannot know.

All of which is to state that I would be in favour of a European Union that truly serves the people. Something honest, transparent and working for the good. But I don’t have any confidence- at all-that this is what we have at present. Indeed  I have a hunch we have the opposite. An EU that is less than transparent or honest and which exists only to serve the elites and big business. We are often told this helps the little man by a trickle down effect but the reality is that little trickles down.

And this leads to my much more serious concerns regarding politics. My fear that  democracy itself is in a serious crisis. Over time the system has become skewed and bloated so that the rich are getting richer and the poor are just held above the breadline to be exploited to prop up the State. And this situation leads to detachment and loss of interest. So many people no longer care what happens- in Europe or in Westminster- because they believe the system is not there to serve them. All they have seen in recent years is a rise in cost of living coupled with the closure of community services like public lavatories, libraries and school buses.

Bottom line then. How can we make a decision over Europe when there is currently so little trust in the entire political process? The expense scandal and house flipping of politicians has had a long term corrosive effect. Only last week we discovered that certain people in parliament cannot even be trusted to fill in a tax return!  Why then should we listen over Europe? Why should we believe them when they speak of what may or may not be in our benefit?

How do we fix democracy that we might, once again, feel part of the political process. That strikes me as the question behind the European debate that, if corrected, would mean the debate wouldn’t have been needed in the first place.

 

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  • Nothing’s ever as bad as we fear nor as good as we hope – and that applies whether we stay in or get out. I honestly don’t think it’s the great momentous decision we’re being persuaded it is. We face many sacrifices and sufferings in holding fast to the testimony of Jesus and His Holy Catholic Church, whatever political arrangements happen. Don’t be distracted or deceived with false hopes.

  • Hello Fr Ed,

    I was unaware that the Bishops had issued any advice but would have expected them to have favoured the ‘in’ campaign. In regards to the Bishops they seem to me to be and have been incapable of managing the Church in this country, what qualifies them to offer advice in other spheres defeats me.

    The issue surely rests on the lie that the governments of the day peddled when they enrolled us in this unholy alliance that it was merely a trading bloc knowing full well that its ultimate aim is a political federation, in which Christianity has no place by the way. Do we want to be a soverign nation – yes or no? By answering that question informs you how you should cast your ballot at the refererrendum.

    God Bless all in the name of Our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

    Patrick.

  • The correct thing to do is to leave immediately and then in 2 years maybe have a referrendum to see whether we want to rejoin.

    That is after all how we joined, albeit with lies about it only being a common market.

    It is a question of right and wrong and there are few things more wrong that the EU superstate project

    • Er.. What makes you think we’d be allowed to rejoin?
      In any case the UK, as we know it, might no longer exist because it would be tempting for Scotland to go independent. Scotland has said as much and Wales might well pressure to follow. It is highly dependent on EU regional help (what it can save from the dead hand of the Treasury that is).

  • My worst fear is if we leave the EU is that the value of sterling will tumble, unemployment will be higher ad people from Britain will have difficulty with freedom of movement through the EU, and then there are trade issues. I too don’t know which way to vote, I’ve only seen posts on Facebook and BBC news website of support for leaving, so I have been trying to find posts about benefits of staying in EU to even out the balance w bit, but I just get shouted down it seems nearly everyone has made up their mind to leave the EU, without considering the disadvantages and advantages of staying/ leaving. The British Farmnerd’ Union have said it will affect them very badly if we leave the EU, and farmers are struggling enough already. Plus, I think for those that like to holiday in Europe, the prices will rocket of holidays. It’s hypocritical that they want to leave the EU but enjoy holidaying in Europe, where’s the logic in that?

  • When things get bigger they invariably get corrupt
    Banks
    Buisness
    State
    It seems it’s not about people but big buisness
    Better to be free and poor than a rich slave
    Mind you I do like a good Brie .

  • Julie, I don’t think there’s any hypocrisy in liking the individual countries and cultures of Europe, but disliking the monolithic power structure that is the EU.

  • From a fellow Catholic priest- get out, get out, get out.

    The EU is a corrupt, undemocratic, freemason-filled, anti Christian institution.

    Malachi Martin has some very interesting points about the bishops who are pro-EU in several of his works.

    Furthermore, not all of our bishops even agree with the ‘party line’, ask a few bishops personally and you will discover that for yourself.

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