The votes are in and the dye has been cast – Great Britain will be leaving the EU.
Anyone who knows me personally will know how I felt upon waking to the news this morning. I have never sat on the fence. I voted to remain in the EU and I stand by my opinions. As anyone on the losing team does, I feel disappointed, slightly angry and extremely concerned at the future of our country. Others amongst you will have voted to leave and no doubt be celebrating. I am not here to debate the rights and wrongs of our votes. That was my vote. That was your vote. That’s democracy folks.
As you would expect, opposing extremes of emotions are being typed, tweeted, shared and ‘liked’ in the people’s virtual House of Commons this morning. My social media feeds have been alight with heated exchanges and harsh words following on from the historic news. 72% of the UK turned out to vote, an unprecedented level. So what has got us all riled up and out in droves to vote? Why do people care about this way more than even our General Election?
I live in an area where 57% voted to leave the EU. I’m not shocked by this as I’ve spent the last few months asking everyone’s opinions and debating the subject. You know what? As far as I can see, the one thing that appears to have united us all in the EU Referendum, whether IN or OUT is hate. Hatred of a vote that differs to our own. Hatred of the EU border controls. Hatred of the billions spent on EU fees. Hatred of the lies that the money would now be redirected to the NHS. I could go on but you get the point. It doesn’t matter which camp you are in – the theme of the EU Referendum has been hatred. How sad is that?!
For me and many other parents, this was our children’s referendum. We know that it will take years for the impact of this change to touch our lives and therefore it will be our babies and children who will suffer or celebrate in the decision made today. Nobody really knows how it will affect things. Democracy or propaganda, depending on your view point, has won out and there is no use in debating it any longer. It’s done and we cannot change it.
What I really don’t want to see is our children being weaned and raised on the taste of hatred. This we could change if we can all put our differences aside. It may be naïve and optimistic but I want us to come together as Mother’s, Father’s, Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles, friends and neighbours for the sake of our babies futures. We must try to unite against all this hatred. Lets stop all the contempt and anger, respecting the process of democracy. If we come together, stop teaching and preaching this hate and try to be kinder to friends, families, strangers and neighbours in our own communities then whether in or out of the EU, we might still be able to leave our children a great Britain to live in.
Interesting and thoughtful post. I think you are 100% right that it’s done now, we voted and like it or not this is the result and it’s what we do from here that matters. What I will say is looking at the stats, it seems the aging population were the majority “leavers” a sad point that they have dictated the future of the youth of Britain, like you say it won’t impact their lifetimes, but the children will know a new Britain and we have to make sure it’s great no matter what.
JerseyGirl recently posted…Two New Blogging U. Courses Available On Demand
I am 65 & I & many of my friends voted to remain in the EU
This morning I felt sad, disappointed and angry, I am extremely concerned about the future for our country. We have no idea what will happen, or how our economy will be impacted and how our children’s lives will be affected. Like you I voted remain, and I honestly felt that we would remain. Anyway this isn’t the place for a political debate, and I know in the short term we may face a rocky ride, but I do hope in the long term it will be for the better and we can move on from this decision. Claire x #fortheloveofBLOG
The Pramshed recently posted…The Partner’s View – Mother Hermit
I’m irish and not a very political person but this morning I genuinely felt very upset about the vote as a lot of people are. I actually cried. I’m shocked by the vote, i genuinely didnt think it would go this way
Geraldine recently posted…In Conversation With: Dannie Kitten
Oops forgot #FortheloveofBLOG
Geraldine recently posted…In Conversation With: Dannie Kitten
I thought this was a very thoughtful, sensitive post and you are right we all have to put our opinions aside to work together now for our children and stop all the divisions that still exist eroding their society when they are adults #FortheloveofBLOG Lou and Abby at http://www.peppermintcove.com
I still feel this feeling you talk about and I know so does my husband. I always am searching for someone to blame and I know deep down its the people that live in number 10 Downing Street. This referendum was done by someone as a calling card to get into party and has now changed the futures of so many people he will leave behind when he slides out of his role I believe he should be made to stay in to clear up his mess. I completely agree with you that we need to stop the hatred for our children’s sake, it may just take a bit of time for the dust to settle.
Oops so did I! Too busy being political #fortheloveofBLOG
i’m not hugely political but I did find myself quite angry and upset at the leave result. I have no idea where they will even start to sort this mess out! #fortheloveofBLOG
Mrs T recently posted…Mysteries in time
I think you’re right, once the dust settles we need to come together. I don’t think an out vote us necessarily about hate but more about control; I don’t think we’ll be completely shutting our borders for example. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the matter with #fortheloveofBLOG 🙂
Mrs Lighty recently posted…Baby Lighty, Week by Week
I’ve tried to stay out of the debate – I knew what I was going to vote and wouldn’t be swayed. I actually watched much of the results live as it was a night that bubs decided he wanted a rave in his cot instead of sleep! And it was interesting to watch the changes as the votes were counted but I think I knew early on it would be a leave result. It’s not what I wanted, I genuinely think a lot of people don’t realise the impact this will have on us, however it is what it is and I hope the country can now join together and make it work. For once I actually hope the Leave campaigners prove the Remain campaigners wrong and produce a better place for us all to live! #fortheloveofBLOG
Abi recently posted…Dress to Impress: Booby style
I’ll be honest and say I am not really sure how I feel about this. I can see pros and cons for both sides. I just hope our children don’t lose out because of it.
#fortheloveofBLOG
Ali Duke recently posted…A Guide to Comping
I literally couldn’t believe the result, it was the talk of my local park on Friday morning. There seems to be so much bad news recently which has also prompted me to think what kind of world is my son growing up in 🙁
Lets hope you’re right and people will unite in love
#fortheloveofBLOG
Very well put. I feel such despair for my daughter’s future. I hope the young people – the majority of which voted to stay – who will be running the world when my daughter is an adult can come together and create a United Kingdom, a united Europe and a uniyed world. #fortheloveofBLOG
Nursery Whines recently posted…Nothing Left To Lose…
Very well put. I feel such despair for my daughter’s future. I hope the young people – the majority of which voted to stay – who will be running the world when my daughter is an adult can come together and create a United Kingdom, a united Europe and a uniyed world. #fortheloveofBLOG
Nursery Whines recently posted…Nothing Left To Lose…
A very well written and thoughtful post. You’re right about the hate. There is so much hurt in this country – personally I’m really struggling to get over this. I didn’t wake up this morning and feel any better. I feel heartbroken for my daughter. The country has spoken and that’s their choice but my priority is to give my baby all the choices and opportunities that I possibly can. It’s going to take Britain a long time to repair from this. #fortheloveofBLOG
I could not agree more with your views. On waking up the morning after the referendum I saw the news and it left a knot in my stomach, I cant help but worry that there are tough times ahead. I live in an area where 70% voted leave, worrying though this is, it does not shock me at all.
#fortheloveofBLOG
I agree. We were remain, but I think now the important thing is to bridge the divides and try and make the best we can of it.
This is a great post. There’s been a lot of hatred in this campaign. It’s definitely time to come together for ourselves and the good of our children’s generation #fortheloveofBLOG
blabbermama recently posted…No.1 Parenting fear: When the Baby pulls a HULK strop
The decision is quite a shock, but as you say, we must move on with hope and unity, not with hatred. A thoughtfully written post. Alison x #FortheloveofBLOG
Totally agree with you, the whole thing has shown some very nasty sides of people. I also voted remain, and I hope that the (small) majority voted for the right reasons and knew better, and everything will turn out ok…
#fortheloveofblog
Well said!! I don’t want to debate the politics on here but you are SO right. We need to spread love and respect for one another, not hatred. There is already so much of it in the world. Let’s all work together. x #fortheloveofBLOG
Rebecca recently posted…Ode to newfound blogoholism
It’s so sad that there is so much hatred in the world but there is also so much love too, so lets hope our kids grow up feeling the latter!
alex recently posted…Last Minute Dot Com – Does It Pay Off?
I think it is very sad that the majority of the leave vote came from the over 65’s group. The people who will have the least amount of time to deal with the fall out, the people who don’t need to have a passport that allows them to work elsewhere, the people who have built their nest egg and won’t be struggling to make ends meet and a myriad of other reasons. However, as you say the die is cast. The whole world is watching, terrified of the pending global economic collapse and the rise of a whole lot of other issues. As they was, we live in interesting times. #fortheloveofblog
My post this week is very similar! It was always going to cause passion and divide because the subject is so emotive. I think the problem is that is was almost 50/50 and I think that was unprecedented – if we’d had an 80/20 vote then less people would be upset. I personally feel that there were a lot of uninformed people voting Leave for all the wrong reasons and that had they fully understood, the result would’ve been different. That’s why, 3 days later I’m still sad about it #fortheloveofBLOG
Becky (@attwtwo) recently posted…Gutted. But Let’s Be Better Not Bitter
As an expat I find it strange looking in at Britain now. It seems a country divided , with hate and fear on all sides . How has it come to this ? #fortheloveofblog
I voted to remain and so I was disappointed with the result. However, Facebook really wound me up on Thursday morning, so many arguments going on and many people being unbelievably dramatic. I’m feeling optimistic that things will work out OK 🙂 #fortheloveofBLOG
Emma Plus Three recently posted…Taxi Stories with The Taxi Centre
I would have voted remain if I was allowed a vote (I’m a permanent resident but not a citizen), but I agree that name calling and arguing isn’t going to get us anywhere. We are where we are now, so we need to figure out a way to come together and take the next steps. #fortheloveofBLOG
Squirmy Popple recently posted…Is my toddler Hodor?
I have been shocked and saddened at the reactions of many to the result this week. I have never been one to discuss politics, I think that for me it is a private decision, but it seems that due to social media there are many who have wanted to share their opinions and gun down the opposition. I am very much of the opinion that this was a vote, leave won and that is that. Yes some of us may feel disappointed and angry, perhaps even cheated as the lies begin got unfold, but it happened and it would be far easier if we could ride this out together rather than with this huge divide amongst us. #fortheloveofBLOG
laura dove recently posted…Making memories.
I think this is a very sensitively written and intelligent post, Fi. I think you hit the nail on the head that rather than us all find the common ground in our disappointments in the EU system that hatred has hijacked the whole campaign. I feel very worried for the future too…THat we are now ‘the child in the playground that no one wants to play with and we haven’t helped ourselves.’ I worry that the EU may make an example of us, prepared to take a hit and resist trading with us and make the exit as painful as possible just so they can make a point. it’s my prayer too that we let go of the hatred and be kinder to one another. #FortheloveofBlog
I think the point about overall feeling is very important, hopefully things won’t descend too much into hatred…or farce. We’ll see. Interesting read. #fortheloveofBLOG
Lucy at occupation: (m)other recently posted…How My Son Sleeps Through The Night
I read and shared this yesterday prior to linking up to #fortheloveofBLOG. You totally summed up how I felt Friday morning and still now as the weekend has been and gone. I wanted to put something down in words as you have but I am stopping myself, at the moment. There is so much hatred flying around, I fear it wouldn’t take long before I started making enemies – and that is a very sad situation to be in. So much for being a free country. Thank you for sharing what a great deal of us are feeling.
Jaki recently posted…Forza Raspberry K2 Supplements – the ‘before’ post…
Your post is beautiful written, and it made me cry! I feel totally devastated about this vote. If anything good happens of it, I think what you suggest is a good idea, sending out love to the people we know regardless of what class or race they are. We are stronger than hate. #fortheloveofBLOG
Kate Orson recently posted…The ‘Other’ Reason Babies Need To Cry (and why it’s parenting’s best kept secret)
Im from Canada and I’m not gonna sit here and pretend i know a lot about the EU and what it means to stay and or leave it. But your post really touched me and i do agree about how this decision will affect our children’s lives. I hope your country can stand strong together for the children <3 #fortheloveofblog
BabybyKaybee recently posted…My Breastfeeding Journey
Fi, superbly put and superbly written. You have voiced lots of the concerns that have been swarming around my head over the last few days….it is the message we send out with the result that worries me – it’s ok to turn your back on your neighbours…when all we ever try and teach in schools is cooperation, collaboration and compassion for others. I really hope the hatred does dissipate and we can move forward successfully but for now I am still very worried. Thanks for a great post – I love that you have such a breadth to your blog. X #fortheloveofBLOG x
Mindful Mummy Mission recently posted…Mindfully managing disagreements about THAT topic
Thanks so much for your lovely comment. It’s worrying times for sure x
Fi recently posted…I’ve Been To BML16
Oh this debate has run so many emotions and thoughts and feelings through my head. I too voted remain and am bitterly disappointed and concerned over the result (still) and some of the consequences that have already and are yet to unravel. But you make a very valid point, the hate and bitterness is no good for anyone and putting that aside should be our priority xx #fortheloveofblog
I voted remain too in an area that largely voted leave. It makes me sad that people are using the result as a means to justify uncalled for racism and xenophobia and it also makes me worry for the future of the UK and the future of my kids but what else can we do other than go forward and hope for the best!
Laura Nicholson Simpson recently posted…Festival Tots – Expectation vs Reality