John Vincent

So what does the future look like? In 18 May 1952, at age 80, Bertrand Russell wrote an article called “The next eighty years”.  Now that’s 64 years ago.  For me bringing to mind the song – will you still love me when I’m 64.  I came into the world later than that; in 1960.  My early youth was passed at a time when the Beatles were at their peak.  When hippies and free pop festivals came and went.  A time when astronauts went to the Moon whilst on Earth a nuclear arms race was engulfing the nations.  Television was starting to become a powerful medium.

In my teenager years the UK was a troubled place but an exciting one too. A three-day week, homework done by candlelight and rampant inflation.  Failing industries and misplaced protectionism with slogans like “Buy British”.  There was a sense of rebellion with an establishment continuing to look on bemused.  That’s the time when the UK applied for and got membership of the EEC.  It the time when the first national referendum on membership took place.

That’s for me but what of Russell’s imagining of the future? Gloomily Russell pictured a third world war that reduced Europe to rubble (again).  More cheerfully another outcome was possible where Russia and America came to an accord.  He imagined a United Nations capable of maintaining peace.  He foresaw science being use for our benefit rather than our destruction.

Here we are making a momentous decision in 2016. So, what might Britain and the world look like in 2096?  My young nieces and nephews may still be around in that year.  What we decide this month will surely echo through the years and affect the world they live and work in.

It’s a long shot to try and see that far ahead in time but Russell, in his wisdom, did get a couple of optimistic predictions right. Thank God the man was wrong on the gloomy visions.

If we leave the European Union, my conjecture is that there will be growing fragmentation. We will be going backwards to the days of destructive rivalry between neighbouring nations.  I hear this when some advocates of Vote Leave tell me; the French and the Germans have never really liked us.  It’s the call of the neo-fascist.  Today, one young lad passed me in the street with his fist clenched saying: stronger OUT.  I’m not saying WWIII is coming but that the nations of Europe waste the next 40 years competing with each other whilst the rest of the world gets on with determining the future.  Then in say, 40 years more we rediscover the benefits of cooperation and start rebuilding institutions and structure and pull together again.

If we stay in and reform the European Union I believe that we can reverse the trend to centralise decision-making and increase the power of democracies. The EU secures peace, prosperity and the rule of law.  The inventiveness and creativity of the British combined with the qualities of other nations will help us master technology rather than let it master us.  We are at the foothills of mountainous changes that hand-held devices like the smart phone are just the baby step.  Artificial intelligence, Automation, Biotechnologies, Hyper-networking, Nanotechnologies all require strong regulation to be safely used. The EU is the best means to provide that regulation so that it is effective and usable on a global scale.

Exploration of the deep ocean or space or the sub atomic world can’t be done by nations alone. Combining efforts and a stable economic environment will mean we can forge the future rather than be mere bystanders.  We need to lead in the EU.

During this time the British will continue to drive on the left hand side of the road and drink pints of beer.  The jingoism and intellectual dishonesty of the Vote Leave campaign is a step backwards. People who haven’t made their minds up which way to vote in the EU referendum should take a long-term view.  For the genuine “don’t knows” Voting REMAIN is on balance a far better future for Britain.

Head to head on the European Union, the fate of Britain rests in the balance.  Days are flying by and 23 June is coming up rapidly.  Campaigning to maintain our membership is an Ace card that we hold whist the Joker in the pack are the quitters.  Sailing away in a ship of fools is not the British way. 

Sitting here writing at my desk, the computer screen in front of me has a set of adjustments.  A simple menu can be called up.  I can adjust the Brightness, Colour (Color because the screen is American), Contrast and Language and if all else fails press the Factory Reset.  My screen is quite democratic in giving me the choice bright or dim picture.  This thought came to my mind as the overwhelming impression of the EU referendum campaign so far – it’s one of great contrasts.  The contrasts couldn’t be sharper.  If it was a international boxing match it would look like this:

Those in the REMAIN corner are generous, open minded, optimistic and self-confident.  Those in the LEAVE corner are angry, insular, muddled and negative. 

If I next consider the range of Brightness and Colour presented to the British electorate: Arguments from the REMAIN campaign are attractive, bright, clear and vivid.  Arguments from the LEAVE campaign are dark, dim, dull and gloomy. 

The language selection button can be brought into this colour display analogy too.  For REMAIN supporters any one of 23 languages are on the menu in addition to English.  For LEAVE supporters it’s English or English or English.  In reality its thundering gibberish too. 

In my past, in the 1980s, I designed cockpit displays for aircraft so this subject has a deal of familiarity.  The last time this choice on Europe was put in front of the British people was in 1975.  As then, with this referendum vote there is no reset button.  There is only one chance to get it right. 

The fate of Britain rests in the balance at this pivotal moment in our long history.  Europe and the EU have achieved so much good in the world in the past 40 years it’s inconceivable to me that we would throw this away without a sound plan for what to do next.  Yet, here we are standing on the edge of an immense cliff.  Britain holds exceedingly good cards in its present position.  Ticking REMAIN in the EU is a sure bet for peace and prosperity.  Ticking LEAVE is a risky adventure where the younger generation will pick up the bill.  

22 days to save Britain. That’s right the issues are as big as they get.  If you are not registered to vote you still have time to do so.  Europe and the EU don’t just come up every 40 years.  What we decide on 23 June will be with us for a generation and more.  Only two choices are on the ballot paper.

The campaign to vote to REMAIN in the EU has picked up the most credible supporters. The economic case to stay in the EU is overwhelming.  On all the cross border issues like; crime, climate change and environmental protection the EU offers the best way forward.

Vote Leave have peppered Britain with mean minded, ill-conceived and confused referendum addresses. Their vision of isolation is the polar opposite of the internationalism of the REMAIN campaign.  The peculiar notion that building a wall or pulling up a drawbridge will change the fundamental facts about migration is comical if it wasn’t so tragic.  I know we have a natural instinct to be protective of our local community but we had best not think that we are doing good if we run away.  It’s just not patriotic.

Britain is about engagement. On the subject of climate change and financial regulation, it is Britain that has led the push for tough EU action.  When things don’t work the way we think they should then let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work and fix it.  The EU is the most ambitious and successful example of cooperation between nations that has ever been built in our world.  If we were to quit the EU because it wasn’t perfect, we shut ourselves out of huge opportunities in the future.  Extending the European single market to areas like digital, energy and services will be greatly to Britain’s advantage.  We must lead in Europe, not leave.

Living as an Ausländer has its ups and downs. I know what it’s like to be an alien having spent eleven good years living in the city of Cologne.  That’s alien as in belonging to another place rather than the bug eyed monster variety.  When you move you are undeniably an outsider, a foreigner, at least that’s the way its starts.  Fortunately, the community where I settled was welcoming, tolerant and open.  Certainly tolerant of my amateurish use of the German language.  In time what started off as unfamiliar became familiar.  Even the eccentricities of Carnival in Cologne eventually seeped into the blood.  What was initially a crazy spectacle that was best avoided became, at least to me, an annual must see event even in the rain.

Mobility in Europe is a wonderful achievement. It’s a freedom we should cherish.  This is why I find the current British debate about immigration so lop-sided and depressing.  If anything Britain should be celebrating immigration given that it has fuelled the economic success of the country time and time again.

The White Cliffs of Dover are no greater barrier than the mighty river Rhine or the Alps. What is different is the social attitude we have towards those physical barriers.

With the referendum on whether Britain stays in the EU due to take place on 23 June it’s important to get the facts out on this issue. Let’s begin with the economics.  Boring as it sounds if you add up the costs of EU citizens in Britain and compare that with the contribution in taxes you come up with a positive benefit.  Moving on to the jobs that people do, and it’s not just the stereotype Polish plumber our NHS and social services are dependent upon staff drawn from far and wide.  To a great extent Britain is lucky in that there are so many people with English as a second language.  This gives the country an enormous pool of talent to call upon.

There are people who claim that quitting the EU has a benefit. How can this be?  Most of the issues that concern the movement of people are cross-border issues.  If there is one subject that we need European institutions for it is exactly that – cross-border issues.  A lone nation isn’t going to have an impact on global migration but working together there is a chance that problems can be managed.

Let’s have Britain playing a leading role in shaping the future of the EU. Erecting a barbed wire fence on the White Cliffs of Dover is like the story of the little Dutch boy who pocked his finger into a hole in a dyke to stem the flow of water.  Sooner or later help is needed.

The Westminster constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip is currently represented in the House of Commons by the infamous Boris Johnson. It’s currently considered to be a safe Conservative seat. In the past that meant that you could put a donkey with a blue rosette on the ballot and it would get elected. Much like Reigate in Surrey. In fact, in the election battle of 1997 Eurosceptic Sir George Gardiner paraded a donkey along the High Street in Reigate. That donkey was named “Crispin”. A name shared with the current Reigate MP who ironically is backing Vote Leave. How times change.
Yesterday, Saturday I joined the Stronger in Europe Campaign stall in the centre of Uxbridge. The weather was great and there was a lot of people in the town just before lunchtime. So how did it go – I know you are asking. The answer is surprisingly well and I’m not just saying that for effect. People were freely coming up to the stall to ask questions and take leaflets.
Amongst the “outers” that I spoke to none were of the shouty variety that populate social media. One woman cited immigration as her concern but her reasoning was not typical. She was hoping there would be fewer immigrants so that would get lazy Brits off of their backsides and working.
The smiles and nods you get from supporters really boosted our spirts. That glance and “I’m IN too” as they passed by was a good indication that there is much more support for remaining in the EU than is indicated in the polls or in the media.
One young guy, self-employed, said his business was doing well but he hadn’t made his mind up. He put it like this: my head tells me to REMAIN in the EU but my heart doesn’t always agree. After we had a short chat I’d be happy to bet that he goes into the polling station and votes to REMAIN.
One middle-aged couple were mildly animated, saying that there was no need for this referendum vote at all – why was it happening? One Western Canadian woman I spoke to was bemused by the whole event. Again, she couldn’t understand why we were having this referendum.
I exchanged stories about living in Germany with one older woman. Although we agreed on many issues, unfortunately I didn’t persuader her to come across to REMAIN.
Much as we are seeing in the national media the two biggest issues that came up in conversation were the economy and immigration. In my mind you can’t separate these two issues. Free movement has been a huge boost to the British economy. Also it’s a complete myth that quitting the EU will change immigration to Britain.
After this referendum has passed I do intend to walk the Colne Valley all the way from Staines to Uxbridge. On the edge of the City it’s surprisingly rural except for one or two places like the end of the Heathrow runways. That should be a nice wind down.

I don’t like to be disrespectful so what I say does not refer to all Vote Leave campaigners. In fact, I’ve had a perfectly rational, sane and sensible debate with a few. However, I’ve met enough of them to say that it’s true that a number of them have the characteristics of those people who write letters to Councillors in green ink. That is EVERYTHING (in Bold) is accentuated! Nothing is left to the chance that you might not fully hear, echoing through the pages every point they are making. Even in a noisy room with a jet flying overhead and constant interruptions. What does a conversation with the other side sound like? Standing in a High Street meeting passers-by and offering a positive REMAIN message this can go several ways.
One way is the normal gentile route. For example: They smile and say: “I don’t agree with this leaflet but I take my hat off to you for standing in such a cold alleyway. I know what it’s like”.
Another way is the combative route: They comment: “You know you lot are going to lose – don’t you? I don’t know how you can believe this stuff?”
Finally, and all too often the aggressive route: They shout: “No democracy. Nazi super state. Can’t control our borders. Traitor – I want my Country back”.
In the first case I can shake their hand. In the second case I have a bit of banter. In the final case they get offensive, nasty and unpleasant. Any engagement is just time wasting. Whatever the rights or wrongs of it, some people have lost their marbles over this referendum. All the wows of the world are sharply focused on an instinctive urge to kick something. Logic goes right out of the window. Fallacies become the fashion. The Leave campaign can be summed up as; make as much noise as possible don’t bother about the detail.
I choose to believe that the latter case is a minority. The vast majority of people are calmly considering which way to vote. The positive REMAIN message is hitting home. To quote G. K. Chesterton: “But we are the people of England; and we have not spoken yet”.