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What have the Romans ever done for us? (BREXIT)

A plea to the Brexit camp. In my personal case. The EU has:

  • Subsidized my farm
  • given me free health treatment in 
    • Portugal
    • The Caribbean island of Bonaire (Dutch overseas dependency)
    • French Polynesia.
  • Allowed me to drive unrestricted across 5 to lake Garda to race an rs400 (Germans may have given us a speeding ticket)
  • Allowed my friends to live and work all over the EU.
  • Allowed me unrestricted travel, without visas, taxes, or queuing.
  • Allowed me cheap phone calls when roaming,
  • Prevented my human rights from being violated.
  • Helped build roads and street lights I used in Tonga, making the islands more welcoming,
  • Allowed me visa free access to any EX EU colony  or Dependency the world over. Didn't even need to pay the Bond in French Polynesia.
  • Protected me from being killed (H&S regs)
  • Protected me from being exploited (working time directive etc)
  • Aided my health.
  • Protected (badly I admit) the seas I sail in. Probably better than the torries would have though.
  • Protected me from being ripped of.

This is just a small part of the wonderful things the EU has done for me, I still go "grindy, grindy, yes, yes hello" in honor of the Dutch girl who used to crew on Dragonfly - a boat who's owner now lives in Spain thanks the the wonderful EU. Unless you've tried the full horror of visas/customs/quarantine/immigration in other places you wouldn't understand.

Now what has Brexit campaign ever done for me. NOTHING. The Brexit campaign is NOT promising:

  • Better working conditions.
  • Better health.
  • Cheaper international calls.
  • More human rights.
  • Better travel opportunities.
  • Overseas Health benefits.
  • lower crime rate.

When I say not promising I think that may be saying "things will be better"

I believe they are promising:

  • Less Bulgarians
  • More freedom from EU H&S, worker protection and crime/exploitation prevention.
  • The withdrawal of wonderful rights and freedoms I've enjoyed to work travel and live abroad  to those wishing to come to the UK.
  • Introduction of the VISA system that for 4 years made my life a living hell and allowed me to be exploited in Australia.

That's not the exact wording of the Vote Leave PDF, Its fascinating just to skip though it. Quote:"There is a pattern of failure for our Governments." straight out of the PDF. This is the Governments that are going to magically negotiate a better deal with the EU and the rest of the world than we have already? I suppose it could be argued that we could somehow reset the old EU treaties and start again, but where I really shake my head in bemusement is the idea that the EU will give us a better deal as an outside country than as an inside country.

Reciprocal agreements:

Most of the EU objections revolve round them coming over here, loading up NHS taking our jobs and benefits (often at the same time). All of these are reciprocal agreements. I can work and be treated in in France and they can do the same in the UK. You do not need to be an ace international negotiator to work out what will happen after brexit. We cut off health benefits to them they cut off for us we close our borders to them they close their borders to us. We close our fishing to them they close theirs to us. Its pretty easy to see what it will look like. and its a pretty horrible picture for my generation, who are used to the freedom the EU brings.

Promises:

The vast majority of the UK's H&S, worker protection, Human Rights etc is EU legislation. Now the Brexit campaign is not promising any replacement for this. Red Tape is mentioned in relation to Europe, a lot. Mostly what they mean by red tape is "H&S, worker protection, Human Rights", your rights health, well being etc.

Google "brexit promises" and variations there of you get nothing. The Vote Leave website doesn't make any specific promises you to you. The EU does. It promises you'll only work X hours per week, you'll be given paid leave, maternity, sick pay etc etc etc and that is fair and equal across the EU. Lets get this straight the leave campaign is absolutely not offering you these things. Read the websites. Google it. The rights you take for granted are  EU rights - and will not be guaranteed. Worse the very UK government failures in EU negotiations the vote leave PDF bleats on about are mostly the very rights I'm talking about. Thatcher fought the working time directive, Cameron the Human Rights Act.

I know I describe the UK as a "small bankrupt rock in the north Atlantic" that's not fair, the UK is still a player, but only small one the UK needs Europe more than they need you. According the the history myths we didn't join the original EU, in fact we weren't invited and yes we are less than enthusiastic joiners and members. The other non members with EU access would be the model for a brexit UK. E.G. Norway has to accept EU freedom of movement to be allowed to play with the EU. Which is a good example of what the UK might get. In short you'll be keeping those Bulgarians.

Obama just said it how it is. They will go to the big important player, and ignore the small rock next door. If you fancy trying to deal with them, then you will be scrapping the EU to become the 51st state. Or worse the 24th Province. Fancy being the next Puerto Rico?

Position: 12° 26.3' S, 130° 50.4' E | Posted: Sat 30th April 2016

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