It’s so basic. It’s there in just about every religion. It’s there in the modern secular world too. It’s written in just about every ancient writing about human behaviour.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” This simple rule can be worded in different ways. I remember it, maybe from long ago at Sunday school in Horsington church as: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Equally it could be put as: Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.
People are scratching around for statements that are undeniably true or guaranteed concerning the EU referendum on 23 June. Well here’s one; after the referendum no matter what the result this simple rule will continue to apply. In the world of international trade it can be called; Reciprocity. A definition of reciprocity looks like this: “a relationship between people involving the exchange of goods, services, favours, or obligations, especially a mutual exchange of privileges between trading nations.”
So, if I’m sitting in a Government office in Westminster and decided to increase a trade tariff on say; steel coming into Britain I would reasonably expect the reciprocal to happen. That is that; the Countries impacted by our decision would take an action to rebalance or redress the situation.
Equally, if I’m sitting in a Government office in Westminster and decide to increase or change immigration policy and restrict the movement of people I would reasonably expect the reciprocal to happen. That is that; the Countries and/or the trading blocs impacted by our decision would change their policy towards British citizens.
One way of looking at this is to consider the highly interconnected nature of the world and rightly conclude that; “no man is an island”. Something will be done in return to my actions – that’s a certainty. I’ve see the British Press describe this as a “threat”. By pointing out that in the real world reciprocity happens we see the two sides of the coin. In other words; I do something bad then you do something bad or just the same; I do something good then you do something good. Personally, growing up with three brothers we all learned this at a young age.
We have to ask ourselves, with all modesty, was Jesus issuing a threat in the Sermon on the Mount? I don’t think that was the intention. The simple command or law just sums up something everyone knew at the time but occasionally choose to forget.
Today, Vote Leave is choosing to ignore this rule big time. Vote REMAIN understand the this golden rule very well. You should too. Let it guild you in the way you vote.
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. 
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.
Britain is in a good position. We have the best of both worlds. At the same time as having a seat at the table in Europe, Britain continues to be one of the major players at a global level. This comes from our unique history and an ability to lead in significant areas.
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.
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.
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.
People want to be in a successful place. Britain’s economic success is attracting workers from across the EU Member States as new migration figures show. The majority of EU citizens come to work or to find work. These workers are making a large contribution to the wealth of the nation. Leaving the EU could cause a shortage of workers and the closure of businesses.
John Vincent 