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Most difficult amongst all our efforts is to try and see things as they really are.  Sounds simple, doesn’t it?  It’s not so simple.  Often when a catastrophe occurs eye witnesses come up with the strangest of recollections of events.  We process what we see in ways that use a baggage of assumptions and preconceptions.  Seeing is just one sense and so as we mix all the sources of information that we have the picture can get sharper or more blurred.   Either way we will fix this result as; our view. 

Is this denial?  Denial of reality.  You get it; I’m channelling my inner Spock.  Half Vulcan – half human.  We are stuck in that world between objectivity, facts and logic and our imagination, emotions and feelings.  I don’t want to deny either.  Let’s just except, to see things as they really are needs a lot more effort than we often give it.    

via Daily Prompt: Denial

Since I left school we have been in Europe. Common Market to the European Union. Life as got progressively better. Fine we have had our gripes and there has been set backs but on average we are more prosperous, less likely to be wiped out in a nuclear war, crime has come down and the environment is much cleaner.

As a trading nation membership of the EU has helped us succeed and not hindered.  

I’m traveling at the moment and so for amusement I looked for evidence in this room to back up my words. There’s a Korean TV in this American chain hotel room. I drove my Germany car to get here on time. My Swiss watch helped ensure that I did. My Chinese made smart phone helped too. My Next cotton jacket was made in China as was my Delsey back pack and my Marks and Spencer shirt and underpants. My Gap cotton khakis were made in Sri Lanka. Inside my back pack there’s my German made Braun shaver and toothpaste supplied by Unilever – who knows where that came from originally. The air conditioning in this room is made by Siemens. The MK plugs and sockets are British because it’s our electrical standard that requires the 3 square pins. However, my travel plug adapter claims to be Swiss designed. I know my Clarks shoes were not made in Somerset as they once were. At last, it’s nice to see that the two cups with the tea and coffee making gear have stamped on them “Made in England”. The tea is Ty-phoo from Merseyside. There’s one thing that I can say is wholly British and it’s the pound coins in my pocket. Maybe not wholly British because I expect that the metal was imported.  

Surveying that lot I’d conclude that the single market is working well. As Europeans we have a great deal of choice. Now, I lament the passing of Britain being the workshop of the world as much as the next man. Wish as we might there isn’t going to be a return to the imperial days of the past. So what are the advocates of Brexit proposing? Are they going to make all of the above more expensive as we exit the single market? Are they proposing to eliminate all the German goods and replace them with cheaper ones from Asia? I have no idea. Here we are in Europe with a good deal, freedom to pick and choose and a huge diversity of products and services. I can’t see the sense in throwing all that business advantage away. The agreement on EU membership points all one way and that is to stay.  

I remember a line from David Penhaligon: “If you’ve got something to say, put it on a piece of paper and post it through people’s letterboxes”. That’s what I’ve been doing. Even in the age mobile phones and social media the piece of paper still has a major role to play in elections. In amongst the pizza delivery services, window replacement companies and local car mechanics flyers, an election leaflet has a hard time. But it’s a game of numbers where a small percentage of people who pick it up can make all the difference. Going from doorstep to doorstep gives a quick snapshot of an area. Overgrown once cared for gardens or concrete drives with neatly kept shrubs. Fencing for growling dogs or sentinel cats eyeing up all comers. Prized possessions like a 70s American muscle car or a pile of scrap timber propped against a wall. The good, the bad and the ugly are all to be found on a quiet suburban street in a small English town.
Why do I do it? To get a good candidate elected – yes. The spin-off is the steps my watch clocks up which surely must keep me fitter or so I hope. There the natural curiosity to get to know a place too.
Bank Holiday Monday lunchtime we handed out leaflets in the High Street. This time our colourful material was in support of remaining in the European Union. Its surprising how many people still have to make up their minds which way to vote in June. Couples are often divided on the issue. The most argumentative guy I met was Polish. He has no vote in this referendum. Of those who said; no thank you or I want out, there was more 50 plus men. “What have they ever done for us?” was one remark. Even trying to answer this was met with blank disinterest.
Why do I do it? To get a positive outcome – yes. On top of that there is the satisfaction of action, even if it’s a small drop in the ocean. Human reactions are fascinating too. From the brisk rush past ignoring contact to the bright smile from a supporter.
Democracy will not crumble if the humble printed leaflet fades into history. However, today, this simplest form of communication is still one of the mainstays of political campaigning.

We have known of the US president’s visit to the UK for some time. It certainly wasn’t a surprise. Thus, it’s strange to hear how prominent Brexiters have responded to the event. Having time to prepare a confident campaign could have assembled a factual and grounded defence of the position for leaving the European Union. Instead what has been presented by the likes of Johnson and Farage is the worst of the worst pub gossip. Innuendo, misrepresentation and prejudice were all the leave campaign had to offer. Barack Obama shows no signs of being anti-British.  Contrast the Brexiters assertions with the warmth and upbeat messages in support of the UK’s position in Europe. It’s clear that the UK’s continuing global success is dependent upon playing a strong role in the EU. The momentum of the Remain campaign continues to grow as the days count down to the referendum. 

It’s time to ask for an opinion. Reading newspapers, listening to the radio and scanning the web there is still no substitute for a good old conversation. So, I asked a West Country farmer IN or OUT? Goodness me: “I’d like OUT but it’s safer IN”. Next I asked an his mother. Well, my mother too. The reply surprised me: Undecided but if I was younger I might vote OUT and take the risk. After a moments reflection: “It (the disruption) will take too long so stay IN”. With all the media noise in the air there’s still a huge don’t know factor when it comes to the final referendum vote. With this in mind and the fact that more noise doesn’t make it any easier, the “devil you know” will probably clinch the outcome. The reasons are simple. Asking people to make a massive leap into the complete unknown isn’t an attractive prospect. When looking at the people who are asking for that giant leap its evident that their credibility is mighty lacking. To top that, throwing away so much invested knowledge, experience and goodwill just doesn’t sound sensible.  
Personally I find the positive case for the UK to remain in the EU compelling. In my head, a basic cost / benefit analysis and a set of beliefs being me to that conclusion. Now, the race is on to communicate.  

One of the delights of a journey down the A303 is the sight of Stonehenge. Traveling west towards the sun the traffic naturally slows past the stones. And that’s an understatement because it often just stops in a long slow que. Just past Stonehenge there is another delight – at least to me. There is a field of free range pigs to the left and stretching off into the distance. It’s mud, straw and huts. Wallowing around are what I would assume to be a great number of happy pigs.  My subject is the welfare of farm animals. This is a case where the UK has much to contribute to the EU. Generally standards are higher in the UK than the EU norm. Some argue that this puts the UK at an economic disadvantage. Recently the Government backed down from an attempt to dilute welfare standards.  

This is where leaving the EU could put in jeopardy a basic minimum set of standards that we have come to expect. I think we have a responsibility to keep our seat at the table in Europe and argue for continuing improvements across the board. There is a danger that the UK could give up its leadership role if Brexit becomes a reality. Just imagine the bonfire of standards the advocates of the leave campaign would ignite.