I of course voted remain. It was, after all, the patriotic thing to do in the best interests of our country. I did so in the full knowledge of the EU works and it's relationship with the U.K. - factual information I was able to draw on based on 15 years of study of the EU's political system. This means I have a full appreciation of the EU's far from perfect nature, but also means I recognize the good it has had for our country's prosperity, its society and its global influence. For me, personally speaking, a vote for leave would would have have been a vote for isolation and a loss of control over our destiny, despite the rhetoric of the leave campaign. This to me seems inherently un-British.
Having observed the debate over the last few months I feel quite confident that many of peoples' concerns regarding the EU are actually better directed at our national government and national political system - it seems to me the EU has become a scapegoat for all the ills of our society. Whether we remain or leave, this isn't sustainable, nor is the wide lack of trust our society has in its politics. I hope this encourages some brave political leadership among our national politicians, and perhaps a greater appreciation by the public at large for the difficult job our elected representatives and public servants do.
Oh, and I cast my ballot using the pencil provided in the polling booth. Partly because I am not stupid, partly because I didn't have a pen on me, partly because if MI5 really wanted to rig my particular ballot paper then there are many more efficient methods available to them, but mainly because I can rest easy being safe in the knowledge that the use of pencils has never been an issue in any ballot in this country's long history... Ever.
