The EU referendum

I believe in Europe. Passionately. It feels to me that the future lies in Europe, as an integral and whole-hearted part of Europe.

This week the Government's little booklet arrived, stating their case for a vote to remain in Europe. As an enthusiast, I wish it had not arrived, that I had never seen it.

The leaflet 'sets out the facts'. If only it did. 

Instead it bristles with opinions and 'judgements' disguised as facts:

"Voting to leave would create years of uncertainty and potential economic disruption"

"The Government's judgement is that [striking a deal] would be much harder than that"

"Our EU membership magnifies the UK's ability to get its way on the issues we care about"

The leaflet tells us breezily that the UK has secured a special status in 'a reformed EU'. A reformed EU ? Did I miss a meeting ?  This must be a reference to David Cameron's rather tepid negotiations in which he managed to prove that EU membership gives little leverage to 'get its way' even within the EU.

The booklet illustrates the reason the political elite is so richly distrusted. It's glib dishonesty and verbal legerdemain is staggering.

If there will be ten years of uncertainty, it is because the politicians have created it. Uncertainty, and snake oil remedies, are the stock-in-trade of our political classes. 

Each side of the debate about the EU is vying with the other to find the ultimate knock-out problem, the clinching demerit which will make the voters flock to the polls. Nobody feels uplifted by a catalogue of potential disasters. At work, I hated people who saw only problems. What I enjoyed was the people who saw a problem, and brought me some ideas about creative solutions.

Whatever the outcome of the EU referendum on 23 June, in 150 years time our republic will be part of the United States of Europe, and with any luck there will be a federal government.

And we will all be citizens at last, and no longer subjects. 

I will not live to see it, but the thought glows warmly inside.