A vision with heart

I could recite some convincing statistics to encourage people to leave the EU. But that won't do it now. The clear and sensible argument is no longer enough. No one sees the figures anymore and, frankly, they're so contradictory that they are not convincing anyone. In my mind, what's missing from the remain campaign is the heart, the vision and the dream.

I hear a lot of this, "the risks are too high" and, "we need stability." That, my friends, is not a vision. Being shackled to a failing political and economic union is a risk too. Whatever is said, we would not join the EU if it were a new option today. And we do not have to die by our sword and remain in it because of a misguided loyalty to the EU and it's unelected bureaucrats. Our true loyalty is to the people of Europe and that would live on after a Brexit. 

So, what is the leave vision? My vision is one where we can truly contribute to Europe by exporting to it, importing from it and contributing to its economy by visiting those countries which we have grown up with. Those countries which we love as we do our own green and pleasant land. Nothing will change. We will appreciate and immerse ourselves in the different cultures. We will visit our friends and buy their goods. Why would we not? The difference will be that when Jean Claude Junker and his cronies in their marble offices make more decisions which directly conflict with the best interests of our nation, those of our friends and neighbours, those in Africa trying to trade out of poverty or those fleeing war and terror, we won't have to fall in line. 

There will be no isolating of Britain nor refusals to forge trade deals. The world's fifth largest economy should have the confidence in its ability to plough its own furrow and to rise from stagnation, strong and powerful. This is not just for us, it's for our European and worldwide relationships and for our position on the world stage. A Brexit could give us the strength and ability to build on and contribute to those relationships rather than having them managed from Brussels. Surely that is worth fighting for. 

"We know now what we are, but know not what we may be" ~ William Shakespeare