EU vote government to allow MPs to campaign for either side.

[Tashyboy]

So the government is going to allow its own members to campaign for both sides of the EU in or out sides.

But the government is then going to make a statement / recommendation on how they think the British public should vote.

Eh, a percentage of the Tory government wants to leave the EU, but the remaining members of the government will be urging us to stay in the EU. You could not make it up.

 

[Kellfire]

This is how it should be; parties members free of party politics.

 

[Tashyboy]

This is how it should be; parties members free of party politics.

totally agree with that Kellfire, but the bit i am struggling with is they will allow mp's to promote both camps, but the government will advise you on how to vote.

 

[Sweep]

The government wants to do a deal with the EU that will allow it to recommend we stay in. The government is using this strategy to give it leverage in its negotiations with the EU, saying that they need to give the government something they can sell to the people of the UK. Of course, this is a flawed process, as we also need to know what will happen if we chose to leave (will we have a trading agreement for example). If the electorate don't know the pros and cons on both sides, how can it make an informed decision?
As the Tories (and indeed most of the other parties) have been split on Europe for decades, the only way a referendum would work would be to allow "free speech" from its MP's. Otherwise as the issue is so big, there would be a major split in the party. I assume under the new open leadership Labour will do the same, though following the Syria vote and the reshuffle, I wouldn't hold your breath.

 

[chrisd]

As someone who was around when we first joined, and voted in the last referendum, I wonder if it's a flawed strategy as we could easily get an OUT decision even though Cameron clearly will want to stay in. Also, goodness knows how the Scottish vote will go as they don't want to be forced out by the English majority, although I do think its simply political manoeuvring by the SNP to force another referendum.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

This is how it should be; parties members free of party politics.

Unless it is the Scottish Independence vote of course................talk about double standards all round.

 

[Kellfire]

Unless it is the Scottish Independence vote of course................talk about double standards all round.

The only reason they're doing this is because they expect it to go the way they want to.

 

[Fyldewhite]

The only reason they're doing this is because they expect it to go the way they want to.

Hmmm, they thought that about Scotland too......until the polls said it was going to be close. Can see it all getting increasingly "panicky" tbh.....but when it comes down to it most people vote with their heads not their hearts so I'm pretty confident in a "better together" result again. One point I have noticed is that this is being made to be about Cameron's new deal.....his package of reforms etc. Even without these (if they actually ever amount to anything), the country would be unlikely to vote for an exit. Just a mechanism to make Cameron/Tories look good without actually adding much substance to the argument. A free vote will stop the infighting, sackings, resignations but won't stop the bad feeling and division. Probably the better of two bad situations.

 

[Slab]

A referendum eh, well that should be easy enough

Three things will happen for certain:

• Both camps will promote pretty much polar opposites during campaigning
• Both will say their way leads to prosperity & social harmony
• Both will say the opposition will lead to the poorhouse & social disorder

There is only three possible outcomes:

1. Both could be right meaning it doesn’t matter which way you vote it’s just a different means to the same end
2. Both could be wrong meaning it doesn’t matter which way you vote it’s just a different means to the same end
3. Only one side is right!

But three things to note:

• There’s only a 33% chance of option three being true
• If it is option 3 then there’s a 50/50 chance you voted correctly (assuming everyone wants prosperity)
• If it is option 3 it means every MP, celebrity, business leader, politician, and voter that didn’t vote correctly can safely be called a numpty!

 

[Tashyboy]

Morning slab, hope the sun is still shining out there and all is well, just for the record it's miserable weather here, although I did get out yesterday with four layers on as against four items in Mauritius. Top, shorts an socks. Not inc shoes an Y fronts.

Anyway back to subject. It will be nice to have an informed debate on the EU in out vote from our politicians.
However will we believe them ? Doubt it.

Have people already made up there minds? Probably.

What will be the main talking points ?
Jobs,
Immigration,
How much we contribute to the EU pot,

What "deal" will shifty dave be able to negotiate with the EU ?
Will said deal be enough to persuade people to follow his recommendation to stay in the EU?

Interesting few months ahead me finks.

 

[Slab]

Morning slab, hope the sun is still shining out there and all is well, just for the record it's miserable weather here, although I did get out yesterday with four layers on as against four items in Mauritius. Top, shorts an socks. Not inc shoes an Y fronts.

Anyway back to subject. It will be nice to have an informed debate on the EU in out vote from our politicians.
However will we believe them ? Doubt it.

Have people already made up there minds? Probably.

What will be the main talking points ?
Jobs,
Immigration,
How much we contribute to the EU pot,

What "deal" will shifty dave be able to negotiate with the EU ?
Will said deal be enough to persuade people to follow his recommendation to stay in the EU?

Interesting few months ahead me finks.

Morning (or late afternoon) yeah its still hot and the humidity's gone silly high as we enter cyclone season but I see you've had your share of storms over there recently (No golf for me since xmas day but got a game planned for this saturday)



I think the next few months could be quite constructive if all the campaigners learn lessons from the mistakes of the independence debate (but I think that's unlikely & giving them too much credit)
Instead it'll be bout after bout of folk spouting about whatever is in their self interests (whether 'self' refers to party, company, individual etc) and right or wrong I think the topic of immigration will play a huge part in the campaigning

Hope everyone keeps a level head

 

[Doon frae Troon]

With the South of England, propped up by Scotland [for entirely opposite reasons], voting to leave the EU, I think this vote will be very close.