Friday, June 24, 2016

With or Without EU (You)

Image result for eu flag
I have to say, I'm profoundly disappointed by the results of last night's referendum. Disappointed because of the economic risks, to my own employer (which supports most of the local economy) and to the country as a whole, but much more so because of the statement it sends about what we, the British (or rather the English and Welsh) think about our own place in the world, and about the world around us. 

Just over a year ago, a lot of people I knew were feeling something similar about the general election result. What I wrote then (http://jon-nonsenseland.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/talking-about-end-of-world.html) is probably just as relevant today - and certainly, what was written then as an outsider, looking in at other's views, applies today, to me, for my own perspective. 

But there's more, because this was a close-run battle. Unlike a General Election, where things can change every five years, this is a once and for all decision, and yet it has been decided on such a slim majority. I have already read in several places the statement "We can't ignore 17.4 million voters", but that statement ignores the fact that 16.1 million voted to stay, and another 12.7m didn't turn out to vote. And many people have demonstrated very strong views - for some the inability to live with, others to live without EU membership. How can we move forward, together with a country so closely divided?

When Scotland voted to Remain in the UK, the close run nature of the vote (much less close than this) led to the UK government responding to the clearly expressed desire of some for independence offering significantly more freedoms... My hope and prayer is that, as the "leave" side take control they recognise that this was not an overwhelming victory, not (thankfully) a massive validation of their view, and that they seek to re-assure those of us who wanted to Remain that, even as they respect the view of the (slight) majority, they don't seek to sideline the rest of us. 

The Remain campaign may have lost the fight last night, which means Brexit is inevitable. But leaving the EU doesn't have to mean turning our backs on the principles that make the EU strong. Peaceful co-operation, inclusiveness, respect for diversity are values which we need to embrace - values which cross political divides, just as the Remain campaign crossed the political divides. Certainly, for me, these are values which come from my faith, from my own desire to be Christ-like in all I do, to reflect the inclusive, peaceful, respectful love I have experienced. 

Some much wiser men than me wrote this:-

"As citizens of the United Kingdom, whatever our views during the referendum campaign, we must now unite in a common task to build a generous and forward looking country, contributing to human flourishing around the world. We must remain hospitable and compassionate, builders of bridges and not barriers. Many of those living among us and alongside us as neighbours, friends and work colleagues come from overseas and some will feel a deep sense of insecurity. We must respond by offering reassurance, by cherishing our wonderfully diverse society, and by affirming the unique contribution of each and every one." (http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5743/eu-referendum-statement-by-archbishops-of-canterbury-and-york


My prayer is that, whoever takes over as leader after Cameron will listen to this, and listen to those who did not vote they way they did, as only through listening and working together can we unite this fractured and divided country. I hope that all those who supported the Remain campaign will join me in encouraging our new leaders to respect our deeply held beliefs, even as we come to turns with the new world they are leading us into.

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