In or out?
- Thread starter Worcester_spoon
- Start date
I do feel there should be some form of qualification criteria before you're allowed to vote....
Angelus666 said:
Yes agreed but I don't feel qualified in spite of having 3 university degrees 8)
I keep swinging between the two sides depending on which recent press article impressed me the most. There just does not seem to be a definitive answer to the conundrum. I understand the pros and cons but nothing stands out. I'm tempted to vote 'stay in' because of the old saying 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. Some may say it is broke (or about to be so) due to the immigration issue, but I don't see this as an unsolvable problem. Cameron got some agreement on the benefits payments issue from the EU today which is a good start.
By the seaside...
Ahhh, the old we'll make you keep voting until you come up with the answer we want ploy... the EU is very good at that one...85genius said:
Remember Ireland's 'No' vote for the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon? The bureaucrats at the EU didn't like that so they made them vote again so they got the 'right' answer - that's not democracy!
I also wonder whether a vote for a 'points scoring' immigration policy would have been more appropriate for where we are today. My sense is the British public have a strong view on this element.....and have far less of a strong definite view on wider economic policy.
Why could we not take a vote on this and then issue our amended stance towards the EU...? I'd wager France and Germany would both prefer a similar set up. The EU could either take it (and our £10bn contribution) or leave it...
Why could we not take a vote on this and then issue our amended stance towards the EU...? I'd wager France and Germany would both prefer a similar set up. The EU could either take it (and our £10bn contribution) or leave it...
Angelus666 said:
Please expand on this statement........
Because if it's what I'm thinking then qualifications do not necessarily an intelligent person make....
I have come across some, susposedly, very highly qualified people in my time and to be honest didn't have an ounce of common amongst them....... and have also come across those with no qualifications at all and found them to be very astute indeed......
I will unashamedly vote to remain for all the reasons outlined previously by same minded ( or perhaps sane minded ) individuals . Having said this I think the Remain group have shot themselves in the foot by the way they continually scaremonger ( you expect this from the likes of Farage and Johnson ) - the Leave brigade know they lost the argument long ago on the economy so have concentrated their efforts on immigration seeming to suggest it will suddenly be all under control - they talk of introducing a Points based system - we already have a PBS that has been in force for several years - if anyone takes the time to read up on Immigration Rules they would see how hard it is gain leave to reside in the UK - Turning to refugees and people fleeing persecution we as a country along with many other countries have signed up to the Commission for Equality and Human Rights - an Organisation brought about predominantly by Britain following the atrocities carried out against the Jews in WW2 to prevent such a repetition. ECHR is completely separate from the Referendum - if the vote is out the ECHR quite rightly is not affected - our legal and moral obligation to help these people remains.
jakblade said:
Not suggesting that the more academically/professionally qualified you are the higher points your vote counts for (some people would suggest this makes sense)....but, would be very easy to set up a basic online assessment of general understanding of the key policies. Take the test and as long as you're not a complete numptie you'll get the chance to register a vote.
jakblade said:Angelus666 said:
OK. Point clarified.
I just fear the reality is that a lot of people will vote purely on the notion that it'll 'keep all the Poles, Romanians and Turks out'.
A bit of unbiased education is the key here (if there is such a thing)...
Angelus666 said:
That is the very attitude that has meant that so many people want a vote in the first place.
For years the EU has been forced onto people with no voice on the subject, and now they are being asked what they want, you have decided that many still shouldn't have the chance to speak?
In or out, everyone who wants to should have the chance to have their say in this. Even if you don't think their opinion counts.
So you want to wipe out 88 years of Universal Suffrage so that large numbers of those governed would have no say whatsoever? A lot of people that fought (and died) for this country would probably have failed your 'test' would you deny the right to vote to someone who put their life on the line for their country?Angelus666 said:
...but, if that's the way you're heading, you might want to start a eugenics program while you're at it, obviously those too stupid to vote are also too stupid to breed... you could make them take an IQ test for a procreation licence
PerryGunn said:
Not suggesting anyone would be excluded, you just need to understand exactly what you're voting for. It's more an alternative to the tabloid press manufactured votes we currently get. How many votes do you think The Sun significantly influence?
Angelus666 said:
Sorry, but that's exactly what you are suggesting - the implication of 'Take the test and as long as you're not a complete numptie you'll get the chance to register a vote' is that if you fail the test and are, therefore, 'a complete numptie' you won't be able to vote... your idea is, in substance, no different to the 18th Century laws restricting the vote to men 'possessing a freehold to the value of twenty pounds' i.e. you're restricting political franchise on the basis of an arbitrary standard
All a bit 'Animal Farm' really...