I always knew it was going to be a disaster.  In my opinion referenda are for moral issues or those that are purely a matter of personal preference (such as whether to change the New Zealand flag or not).  Matters that require an in-depth knowledge of macroeconomics, global immigration, national defence and the minutiae of multinational trade agreements are too hard for me and, I think, most other people if they are being honest.  

I had a hope (not much of one though) that the media coverage of the issues in the run up to the vote would help clarify everything for me.  Not a chance.  We have witnessed, in my opinion, the worst example of democracy at work that I have ever seen.  Rather than seek to clarify, our elected representatives have taken up polarised views from the start and done all they can, often through childish personal attacks, to convince us that everyone else is either wrong or lying (or both).  Appalling!  The British people deserve better.  

How can any of us hope to make an informed judgement on such a complex subject without any guidance?  When supposed experts disagree totally and see no virtue in the other’s point of view, how can we come to a sensible, logical conclusion? When they openly misrepresent the truth purposely avoiding any facts, figures or opinions that do not support their own view, what are we supposed to think?  How can we possibly trust them again?  Any of them.   

On 23rd June people will vote based largely on the wrong criteria. Rather than taking a broad view on whether the world will be a safer, more fulfilling, more exciting place in or out of Europe, they will decide on how they think they will be affected directly and those perceptions will likely result from long-held prejudices and fears – not reality.   

So I will vote for Britain to stay in Europe.  Not because anyone has convinced me to do so or that I will personally be better off, but because it seems logical. Does anyone really strive for a world that is more divided, more polarised, with less unity, less agreement and less cooperation?  I hope not.  Greater integration with our friends globally is desirable and, in the long term, I believe inevitable. It’s the way it should be. 

If we do vote to leave the EU I trust our European friends will understand. Britons don’t hate them. We are not bad people. We are good people, badly led.