The entire debate about whether or not the UK should remain in the European Union has become a negative, mud-slinging match with so many contradictory and baffling statistics being thrown about by both sides that it is hard to determine whose truth is more true!
I am sure few people will particularly care what I think, but here are my positive thoughts about why I want the UK to remain in the EU, with all its faults, and why I hope that the 18-44 age group, in particular, will bother to vote.
reimaginingthefuture 
All reasonable stuff.
I do think you need to differentiate between the behaviour of good individuals and the behaviour of fallen collectives in which the lowest common denominator can at times prevail.
True in either circumstance though, eh?
Agree with so much here Andrew, but these things can be done without being tied (ironically) to an undemocractic and unaccountable institution.
True, but that is not the rhetoric of the Brexit campaign….
I agree with your conclusion Andy, but not many of your arguments. Like Ellie I’m very uncomfortable with the undemocratic nature of the EU, our MEPs are virtually invisible and don’t seem to make any of the important decisions anyway.
The EU is a whole is working together to close its borders to the very people who most need our help, so it seems to me that in or out makes little difference on that front.
Maybe I’m to pessimistic but changing the EU, which is fundamentally undemocratic, from within seems a forlorn hope.
I agree with you on electoral reform, but can’t see how the EU will expedite that.
Fourth point – I agree, except the EU is pushing TTIP which moves us in completely in the wrong direction. Economic injustice – ask the Greeks how the EU helped them with that.
Fifth point – just another way of saying we should stay in.
I don’t like the EU much, but the deciding factor for me is simply that I absolutely don’t trust any of the people who are lining up to tell us we should leave – that’s why I’ll be voting remain.
Totally hear that Mark, and I think alot of people feel the same way, and had the ‘brexit’ campaign had less of a negative aspect to it then I’m sure more people might be choosing to vote that way…..However, I’m not sure the UK government is more democratic or more accountable than the EU parliament and there are some great things (like worker’s rights) that the EU have caused the UK to re-examine….
Places like Germany have already taken a million refugees in….a great deal better than anything we have done, and I don’t see a move towards ‘brexit’ which has an ugly underside to it in terms of ‘fear of the other’ and self protectionism would cause us to act in a way that is more friendly. part of Europe are building walls, which is a great shame, but infrastructure wise, things are crumbling in some of those places….We need help form the rest of the world with this crisis – hopefully Canada will continue to do good and the US will step up….but others could also help out too, and we could definitely play more of a part…..we certainly have a great deal more room than the Netherlands who have taken huge numbers in…..
I have more hope of electoral reform from the EU, who already use proportional representation than from the UK set up – our referendum on this a few years ago was a total joke! Economic injustice is rife everywhere, but there are significant people movements rising across Europe now – Greece, Romania, Spain, France, where we will find strength for reform…..
I just think pulling out, especially given the current arguments for doing so harkens back to a past that is over……
The entire debate on both sides has been so very disappointing! I was just trying to find a positive way of seeing it – but it is very complicated!
All true – the debate has been appalling, on both sides as you say. There are a few voices on the left advocating Brexit but they get little publicity and also seem a little embarrassed by their bedfellows. I actually don’t think it will necessarily make as much difference, either way, as either side are making out, but I now its asking way too much to expect politician’s to give a nuanced argument when they can’t even manage to be proportional or accurate.
We agree!
If our MEP’s are invisible perhaps it is the electorate who needs to ensure greater accountability to their constituents – but the fault can not be put at the door of the EU itself.
Is our parliamentary system any more democratic with an un-elected upper house who have a greater say in the laws passed in the UK then ever the un-elected officials do in the EU.
We have gained greatly from the EU but that has not been heard very much during this campaign. But as one of the ‘richer’ nations we should surely be extending out ‘our hand’ to our less well off neighbours.
I was recently in the parliament in Strasbourg and was impressed with the way some of our Christian brothers and sisters, particularly from former Eastern countries, were standing up for truth and Judeo-Christian ethical standards. They are being heard and their voice is getting louder. Let’s give them our support.
Am one UK citizen amongst many at not being eligible to cast my vote having been outside the UK for more than 15 years but with a vested interest in the result of the referendum!
Big thanks Andy, for taking time over this, I’m with you all the way!
I want to try and do a vlog based on your latest blog, which is excellent btw! We could do a mini interview together, if you’re up for it?!
Of course I’m up for it!!!!!
Thanks for this. Shaped by the future with all the challenges the EU presents gets my vote. The movements across Europe that are looking for fresh shapes from ‘below’ are very exciting indeed. We need those voices and a participation in the journey surely van only be beneficial.
Totally agree! Thanks Martin.
Good stuff! Can you do an edit without the music?
Sure can! Is it too much?!!
Never met but agree – the music make sit appear a bit slick – agree with ALL the points