Sirs,
The referendum ‘debate’ so far has resembled a cat fight between two opposing wings of the Conservative Party. Indeed the manner in which they are conducting themselves would not be tolerated in any classroom in the land.
It has not been very edifying since both wings of the party hate the EU. That, for
me, is reason enough to stay in. The Tories hate, in particular, anything to do with
the Social Chapter which bestows on workers, rights and protections -
In the years leading up to that I was a very small part of the negotiating team representing Scottish teachers in both Brussels and Luxembourg, seeking to have the Social Chapter agreed for UK workers. I met and befriended people from all over Europe seeking the same goals as I. I am pleased that our lobby was ultimately successful. I would not wish to see all these years of hard work lost. Boris Johnstone has already made it clear that he wants out of the Social Chapter. If you are in work, and value your rights, vote to stay in.
And what of the SNP who have been slow to dip their toe in the water? And no wonder, for arguments to break up the EU make as much sense as breaking up the UK. None I fear.
Delia Smith in the Guardian, makes the point, “…the world is slowly beginning to become a global community. And this,…. has to be the future.” She is right. We must all look outwards and grasp the fact that we need to form more bonds of friendship. Set aside avarice and self and work together in the interests of all.
Yanis Varoufakis, states “we stand united in our belief that a democratic, prosperous
Britain can only be won in the context of a pan-
But most important for me is the fact that the countries which comprise the EU have not been at war with each other since the EU was formed. President Barak Obama in his speech when he visited Hiroshima recently, said, “On every continent, the history of civilization is filled with war, whether driven by scarcity of grain or hunger for gold, compelled by nationalist fervour or religious zeal. Empires have risen and fallen.” Then later he says, “The nations of Europe built a union that replaced battlefields with bonds of commerce and democracy. Oppressed people and nations won liberation. An international community established institutions and treaties that work to avoid war and aspire to restrict and roll back and ultimately eliminate the existence of nuclear weapons.”
Progress is slow but progress is being made. It is by working together that we make progress and not in the bombast of Boris or the brutality of Trump. I have no time for either man. They show utter contempt for you and I and are driven only by self. In Hiroshima the president finished, “The world has changed forever here, but today the children of this city will go through their day in peace. What a precious thing that is.” How right he is. Let us stay together in Europe, imperfect though it is, and let us work together to make it even better.
Angus McCormack
25 North Street
Sandwick
Lewis
Letter: Let us stay together in Europe
31 May 2016