In the second of a series looking at the views of people from outside of the political bubble, on the EU referendum, Lucy Ashton gets the perspective from a local café.
In a Barnsley café, three woman are chatting about the EU referendum over a pot of Yorkshire Tea.
Brussels may seem a world away from this backstreet café but the referendum is definitely a pressing issue for Jane, Donne and Chloe, three colleagues at a respected, successful South Yorkshire company.
Jane, a company director, says she wants to know all the implications as an individual, as an employer and as a member of the business community.
“The EU touches on every single aspect of life, so much of our legislation is created by Europe,” she says, sipping her tea.
“If you look at the Working Time Directive – what would be the consequences if we left the EU? Would that piece of legislation continue? Would the Government have to start afresh and make it a new British law? Would the cost of implementing any new legislation be colossal?
“Britain pays £35 million into the EU daily, which I know some people are unhappy about, but Barnsley and South Yorkshire has also received a huge amount of European funding for regeneration.
“I have a lot of questions but don’t feel they are being answered. My worry is the issues are so complex, they will wash over everyone and people will vote for Boris Johnson because they like his hair or some other daft reason.”
Chloe, who is 19, voted for the first time in the 2015 General Election and is looking forward to voting again but is undecided.
“It seemed much easier to decide with the General Election as there were very definite political parties with manifestos and if you wanted to, you could speak to candidates directly,” she says, nibbling on a Yorkshire ham sandwich.
“With the referendum, I honestly don’t know which way to vote as no one has explained the consequences if we leave. There doesn’t seem to be any straight forward information, no one has drawn up a list of what will happen if we stay or go.”
Donna nods. “Every time you make a major decision in life you can read the details, take advice and weigh up the pros and cons yet with something as serious as the referendum, there doesn’t seem to be any information at all.
“There are huge consequences yet the issue has been really badly communicated and there are so many unanswered questions.
“Along with the impact on Britain, what would happen to other countries if we pulled out? Would Greece collapse completely? Would Germany become a super power? Should we have a responsibility to other countries?”
As they order another round of tea, Jane sums up the general feeling. “It’s frightening to think in four months’ time everyone will have to make a momentous decision that will affect not just Britain, but the whole of Europe.”
Lucy Ashton is a journalist and former Political Editor
Tags: Barnsley, EU referendum, Lucy Ashton, regeneration, Stronger In, Vote Leave
Jane: the answer to your question is to read this document, or at lest the introduction and summary (2 pages).
Chloe: “With the referendum, I honestly don’t know which way to vote as no one has explained the consequences if we leave. There doesn’t seem to be any straight forward information, no one has drawn up a list of what will happen if we stay or go.”
Wrong on all counts. As a student, you will be used to facing up to ignorance and attacking it with research. Here is all the research you need.
Donna: “There are huge consequences yet the issue has been really badly communicated and there are so many unanswered questions.”
I am very pleased, Donna, to have to inform you that this morning your question has been answered! (PS No, you do not have a responsibility for other countries at all. Neither do you have any responsibility for the EU. They are grown ups, not your children.)
http://www.eureferendum.com/Default.aspx
Isn’t it amazing how quiet this site has gone ?
Crisis in the Tory Party – IDS resigns – Osborne forced into humiliating u-turn : not a whisper from any of the Labour Uncut hacks.
Corbyn delivers a powerful Budget response, winning praise inside and outside the party. Whoops, that doesn’t fit in with the Labour Uncut narrative.
Opinion polls suddenly looking a bit more healthy for Labour. Are Labour Uncut cheering ? Er … no, they’re not …
But don’t mind me, or the elections coming up guys. Carry on attacking the Labour leadership. I’m sure Cameron and Osborne will be very grateful.
Nick wall, I don’t think the opinion polls are accurate, to win labour needs to be 25% ahead
regarding elections coming up, yes labour may do well in them,but after the EU referendum when it occurs to the party how many of our supporters are voting to leave we’ll be in for a shock.
when it occurs to the party how many of our supporters are voting to leave we’ll be in for a shock.
A very true statement John. And if you look at the IndyRef in Scotland, it was the Labour voters who voted Yes that have now deserted Scottish Labour probably for good. The same could very well happen over the EU.
Unless there is a resounding victory for Remain or Brexit, then just like the IndyRef, the matter will remain a running sore for decades and has more than enough potential to lead to the break up of political parties all over the UK. For instance I know from on the ground that in my area that most Plaid voters are voting for Out.
This has been very very badly handled and it should have been set-up exactly the same as the one in the 1970s where there were just two groups – Yes & No, both cross party with no political party taking sides.