Remain

Last Wednesday, my son became an American citizen. I sent my good wishes and added my concerns about the forthcoming referendum. His wife, herself an American, replied,

"The ceremony yesterday was, to me, really an affirmation of global citizenship and responsibility and a celebration of the strength that diversity brings to a country. It was a reminder that we are truly a country of immigrants. They played a video of immigrants coming through Ellis Island, juxtaposed with images of more recent naturalization ceremonies and quotes from new citizens who had worked long and hard to gain their rights. The officiant even encouraged him and the other new citizens to help others who are seeking citizenship and support them through the process, as they've been supported. I dread to think how the process would change - or end - if Donald Trump were to be elected. I really hope that Britain does not leave the EU. I hope reasonable people come out in force to prevent it from happening."

It seems possible that the alliance including right-wing Tories, UKIP, the more depressing elements of the press, vehement nationalists and every racist in Britain, could actually win the referendum and we would then be left to re-negotiate all our international arrangements again from scratch. 

All this against the advice of the government, most other mainstream political parties, the Bank of England, just about every reputable international body under the sun, the trade unions, almost every independent financial and economic forecaster, the other EU member states, international security agencies, most world leaders [apart, surprise, surprise, from Putin and Trump], every conceivable environmental group, a large majority of business leaders and all the moderate and thoughtful people that I have spoken to about the issue.

However, it appears that a large swathe of the population has been persuaded to blame all their ills on foreigners and on the EU. Many of them are already comparatively disadvantaged members of the community who have experienced considerable reductions in benefits and access to services in recent years. At the same time, the tabloid press has blamed their situation on the usual convenient scapegoats - immigrants.

The consensus is, then, that it is all about immigration and, if so, the whole thing boils down to the supposition that we really don't like people who we see as being different from ourselves. Is there any hope for us as a nation - or as a species, in the long run - if that is the determining factor for our relationship with others?

Even more important than the direct economic consequences of leaving is the threat to our stability and security that would come from taking such a massive and unnecessary risk. This is not what I want for my children and grandchildren, growing up in an already turbulent world. Are we really prepared to take a leap into the unknown when we can’t possibly know what the effects of such a decision would be?