And I ask only two things of you, readers. The first being, that you vote. Never mind the cynical 'Voting changes nothing!' or 'They are all the same!', this vote does count. This vote really, really matters. This vote will affect things for years to come.
So get out there, in the rain, if necessary. Make time. Go put your 'X' where you think it'll do the most good.
The second being, that you vote the way you'd planned to vote last Wednesday morning. Ignore the people telling you to vote this way, or that way, because the murder of an MP has 'changed the debate' and 'we have to make her death mean something'.
It hasn't. We don't. And - leave or remain - I can think of nothing more dangerous than allowing the idea that voters can be swayed by murder to take hold.
This will be today's only post.
23 comments:
My son tends not to vote because it normally doesn't change anything much. However, I motivated his backside out of bed early this morning and he accompanied me and his Dad to the polling station.
Out! Out! Out!
This is a cry that needs to be transferred to Cameron. I can't believe that Gove wants him in charge of exit negotiations if we win the day. It would be like setting a rat to guard the grain store. Bloody crazy idea.
I voted leave. Jo Cox was the last straw. World-wide demonstrations from Nairobi to Sydney where she must have been a noted saint as well, a grieving husband still able to make public speeches, complete with an insensitive "vote leave" aeroplane just as he was making his eulogy. It all seems a bit too organised and well-timed, expertly-timed in fact, this Vote Love Not Leave transformation of grief into politics.
My only regret is that I marked my X in pencil; now I'm not sure if it will remain where I left it. Take your pen, folks, and good luck.
-richard
I will be voting leave this evening. I shall be taking Richard's advice and taking a pen along.
Stonyground
Hear hear - I have voted leave in pencil.
Good advice. I will follow it. I will make sure to use an unmistakeable permanent pen.
You're certainly nicer than I am about it, Julia.
One side of the debate has pointed out that the EU is a Frankenstein's monster sewn together from every terrible idea people have ever had about how to run a government. The other calls people h8ers and raaaaacists.
That's their whole argument. It's gone into overdrive now they have their own Reichstag fire, but they were always prepared to do absolutely anything except talk about what 'ever closer union' actually means.
Have voted, and went for Out, without a doubt.
I have never felt so proud as being able to make the cross in the leave box. I just hope my fellow Brits recognise the importance of this moment and vote the same way.
We are Britain!
The Emperor's Clothes. Nobody commenting here has even a remote idea of the consequences of their vote.
Nobody (at all), MTG? So you are including yourself!
Personally , I try to leave comments which are relevant to the article/discussion. A sweeping and dismissive statement such as yours does not add much.
A friend gave me a "Vote Leave" black biro, which I thought was an appropriate instrument to use to cast my vote :-)
And what consequences would they be, MTG? Please enlighten us since you are apparently so au fait with the actualité.
'Nobody (at all), MTG? So you are including yourself!'
Yes, Ed P. I abstained for that very reason.
Counting on too much again, Lynne?
Bunny
I voted, it was a pain as I am working and living in Rochester but registered in Warrington, so I drove from Rochester this morning, voted at 8 and then drove back to Rochester. Tired but I discharged my democratic duty. I voted out.
Nice one, Bunny. You recognised the important and took action.
Wrong again, MTG. But then it's one of your major talents. Ignoring relevant questions to your sweeping general BS is another one.
I made no predictions, Lynne. My talents may be modest, but it is indecorous to consider yourself sufficiently qualified to asses them. Eat fewer psychedelic mushrooms and take a well earned break from your cat count.
*assess*
We did it! Rejoice!
"This is a cry that needs to be transferred to Cameron."
As it turned out, he heard it loud and clear.
"I voted leave. Jo Cox was the last straw. "
I fear we'll never really know the full extent of the Cox Effect on London & other metropolitan areas, but it certainly didn't help in her own district. They voted out!
"You're certainly nicer than I am about it, Julia. "
I'm mellowing in my old age... ;)
"The Emperor's Clothes. Nobody commenting here has even a remote idea of the consequences of their vote."
The initial consequences - the market wobble, political upheaval - were over by tea time. I'm confident that, in the long haul, we'll weather any other issues. We are a great nation once again.
"Tired but I discharged my democratic duty."
Looking at the turnout, a lot of people felt like you. That's heartening, even if the vote had gone the other way.
I can see Jack Buckby getting an indecently large number of votes at the Batley & Spen by-election. Tories, LibDems and UKIP may come to regret their decision not to contest the seat as it will give him the oxygen of publicity.
The LibDems certainly contested - and won - Ian Gow's seat after he was murdered by the IRA.
Better to put up candidates but not actively campaign.
"I can see Jack Buckby getting an indecently large number of votes at the Batley & Spen by-election. Tories, LibDems and UKIP may come to regret their decision not to contest the seat ..."
That's going to be a very interesting by-election indeed!
Wot (see what I did there?) predictions, MTG? I didn't say anything about predictions.
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