There is probably little point in this but I have just peeped once more at just one UK Tabloid Comments Section and pure dismay fills me. The cries of "EU Bullies" and "EU dictators" fills the air, followed by "we will soon be free again" a "sovereign nation", able to "take back control" (this of our borders and our laws)
I fully understand the concept of there being different points of view. But here are mine, and I am well aware those living in the USA have their own problems!
Such talk as "dictators" and "bullies" misses the fact that the UK was an integral part of the EU, with a strong voice in its decision making process. Further, the UK had effective powers of veto against decisions made collectively that we were not in favour of.
As far as control of our borders, it does seem to me that our "immigrant problem" is confused by actually conflating two very separate issues, each having vastly different histories. i.e. Immigration from Commonwealth countries and immigration from the EU.
As far as the former is concerned, the UK has had, does have, and will have, total control (it has made a mess of it but that is outside the scope of this post) As for EU immigration, yes, we are obliged to allow those from other EU countries to enter the UK. But an explicit EU directive allows us to refuse entry to those considered threats to "social order/policy". Again, the UK is allowed to deport EU citizens, over 4000 being deported in the last years figures known to me. (Once again, many appear to confuse this with our inability to deport certain people because of verdicts by the European Court of Human Rights, an organisation actually totally separate from the EU.) Another issue is that UK citizens will now lose their current freedom to move across European borders, mainly an issue to the young who are predominately in favour of retaining membership of the EU.
Statistics appear to support the view that our EU nationals are here to work. They make a net contribution to the Exchequer. Thus to claim that they have "overloaded the social care sector" and created a housing shortage, is misguided. Such problems should, in my view, be recognised as the responsibility of successive UK Governments. Again, the claim made by some that they are here to jump onto the UK Benefits System is, to my eyes, bigoted and ignorant.
As far as our laws are concerned, virtually all the laws passed by the EU applicable to the UK over the years are being converted (with little scrutiny as far as I can determine) into full UK law. The vast majority refer to subjects such as lift safety and hygiene standards (not the shape of bananas or the size of condoms, despite the claims made by our current PM when he was a mere newspaper hack, this prior to his being sacked twice for lying*)
As I see it, Brexit is an act of self-harm, driven in part by a largely anti-EU Press. What began as an attempt by the Tory Party to heal a generation long rift between its Pro-europeans and the Eurosceptics, and stop the haemorrhaging of votes to UKIP (UK Independence Party) has now led to divisions throughout the entire UK, and possibly its breakup. 50% of our entire trade, with our closest neighbours, now frictionless, is being jeopardised for hoped for rich pickings elsewhere. Will the UK, as a small independent nation, actually be able to secure better deals than as part of a 28 nation strong Trading Block?
One arch-brexiteer, Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg, is able to take the long view. He has spoken of only knowing the consequences of Brexit, good or bad, in 50 years or so. Meanwhile his various Investment Companies, having moved to Dublin to remain within the EU orbit, continue to make rich pickings. As do the Hedge Fund friends of "man of the people" Mr Nigel Farage. Meanwhile, the new EU Tax Avoidance Directives now being proposed will themselves be avoided by many in the UK who supported Brexit.
Do I sound bitter? More discouraged, even feeling alienated in my own country. Am I one-sided? Undoubtedly. Who knows the future? Some of my best friends voted Leave.We remain friends. Anyway, at 71 and financially secure I can afford to smile.
*Boris actually waved a frozen kipper in the air during the Election Campaign, this once more to deride the EU. It transpired that the law he was seeking to ridicule was in fact of UK origin. But no matter, 34% of the Electorate were undeterred and gave him his "landslide" victory!