Cast your vote wisely

The EU now states that a compromise is now more agreeable. Agreeable to the EU they mean.

They are to negotiate a so-called “brake” on benefits to EU nationals. That is if we can prove that our services are at breaking point, and even then all other EU states have to vote on it, we might get it. Or they could simply say “NON” and that would be an end to the matter. And yet we can already call for a “brake” on benefits for migrants, again if we can prove we need it and again the EU has to vote on it.

But we now have to face facts, that the EU is no longer the once great union it was meant to be when it was first invented. The EU is purely structured for big business, not for the general public. Its constant rule making doesn’t bear any relation to the national cultures it is meant to recognise. To the ordinary voter, the EU is getting more and more like a giant Vatican City, beholden to nobody, making up its own rules, with little thought of separate sovereign nations’ needs.

Prime example of this is the recent ruling on the power of our vacuum cleaners. While our own homes require powerful cleaners due to our love of carpeting our houses, the same can’t be said for nations such as Belgium, where most homes have wooden floors which do not require a powerful vacuum. I know this sounds a little trivial, but rules and laws need to mirror the country they apply to.

And that is my point, the EU has no interest in nations as individuals, but instead as one giant bloc. But what we as a nation need, perhaps France would think is not important to them. And something that is important to Italy, wouldn’t really affect us.

Of course the EU is beholden to its members in a way, but our own MEPs are so often outvoted by the other member states that we rarely have much of a say on the outcome of matters anyway.

Now I am a nationalist. Funny word that really, as it can conjure up all sorts of images, some very negative. However, I am a nationalist as far as to say I love my country.

I also love that fact that we have done so much over our thousands of years of history, some good, some bad. But what we have done, we have done for ourselves and indeed sometimes to help others. Nationalist feelings shouldn’t ever be frowned upon.

Take the supporters of SNP. They, like us who want Brexit are also nationalists. Like us they are so tired of their nation being ruled by a government that almost feels alien to them. I am of course talking about Westminster.

We want Brexit because we are also tired of being ruled, be it partially by a Parliament that feels such a long way away, both geographically and politically. And yet the SNP want to do away with this alien Westminster rule, only to be partially ruled by Brussels.

Many people think the EU needs change and of course it does. But I feel that the unelected EU bureaucrats don’t see it that way.

The Europe project is starting to show cracks, and what do they do, encourage more integration, and even invite Turkey to become a possible candidate for membership. Only a part of Turkey is in Europe, and if they become a member, not only will the EU have a direct border with Isis, there will be full access to our nation for 74 million more people.

That is 74 million more people who would need a home, hospital bed, GP appointment and possible benefits as well as child benefit.

We in our history have always rejected undemocratic rule, and yet we are perfectly happy to have an outside source telling us what to do.

Yes we have representatives in the EU, but do we really know what is going on there.

When we vote our politicians in, we have read their manifesto, to get some idea as to what their plan is. Who the hell is Jean-Claude Juncker? I had never heard of him, but he is essentially our President.

When I vote in the General Election, I expect the next Prime Minister, whether I voted for him or not to be making the proposals for change in my country, not somebody I didn’t have the chance to vote for.

So I will vote for Brexit.

Cast your vote wisely.

Matthew Hobson

by email