Family, Friend and the RA Schools Show

I am off to London today to meet my lovely friend and daughter and to see the latter's show.  So I feel better for some distraction therapy.  Since Friday June 24th, life has been a living hell.  I have been  feeling as bad I ever have, such as at times of bereavment or terrible work pressures.  Last night I took 10mg of amitryptiline, not my chosen response to such things and in my drawer since my lovely Mum 

died.  But I have slept and feel a little better.  What's going on you might ask, but only if you are on Planet Zog.  

I awoke on Friday and realised my nightmare was a reality. Scotland, Ireland, London and a few other places including West Berkshire had voted to Remain in the EU but the national result was for 'Brexit'.

(The scenario many people on the Remain side had predicted had been labelled 'Project Fear' but now it is 'Project Reality'. Here are the results: 

Leave won by 52% to 48%. 

The referendum turnout was 71.8%, with more than 30 million people voting. It was the highest turnout in a UK-wide vote since the 1992 general election.

England voted strongly for Brexit, by 53.4% to 46.6%, as did Wales, with Leave getting 52.5% of the vote and Remain 47.5%. 

Scotland and Northern Ireland both backed staying in the EU. Scotland backed Remain by 62% to 38%, while 55.8% in Northern Ireland voted Remain and 44.2% Leave.

Markets are tumbling, David Cameron has offered his resignation and Nicola Sturgeon is preparing for a second referendum on Scottish Independence. 

Right wing Politicians in France and Holland have begun crying out for their own referendums.  

The 'United Kingdom' and the European Union itself are beginning to fall apart.

I campaigned for Remain and was shocked to discover how angry people are. They are fed up with not being able to get appointments with GPs, not being able to get school places and a shortage of housing. Leave's effective but meaning less slogan 'take back control' seduced them. But it was and is a lie. 

People feel ignored by Westminster politicians, exploited by big employers and badly let down. The real problem is that government funding has not met the demands of the increased population. Our public services have been squeezed by Tory policies.  Now the right wing of the government will be in charge and I fear what Leave voters wished for will not come true. On the contrary 'decent people' as Nigel Farage calls them will be even more ignored and the big corporations who run the world will continue to avoid tax and award themselves big bonuses. 

What does not help matters is that our two major political parties are in disarray and fighting amongst themselves. Meanwhile, having pretty much sacrificed themselves for economic stability in 2010, the Liberal Democrats were nearly wiped out at the last election. Now we are the only party which is united and tolerant.  So I am fueling my anger, which I do not like into something positve and working for the libdems in a membership drive.  

As time has progressed, we hear we will have a new Prime Minister by September.  The Labour party will probably still have Jeremy, despite a challenge from the Parliamentary Party.  The pound is at a thirty one year low are down by 3% (4% in Europe), contagion is spreading in Europe where the people are bemused and the polititians angry.  As El Pais, the Spanish newpaper summarised, Cameron burnt down the house to save the furniture, now they are both on fire, and all to solve his own problems' 

The eurosceptics have won.  We have been in Europe in a half hearted way, and despite all the many benefits, have pushed for more for ourselves.  As they used to say when I worked in New Zealand.  'How do you know when a plane load of Poms lands in Auckland?'  Answer: 'When the engine turn off the whining doesn't stop'

Here are some quotes from people I have encountered.  

And now the most we can hope for is free trade and free markets.  This will come at a higher cost ( so much for all the money for the NHS), and without protection of workers rights, human rights and the enviroment.    

I am in despair over the EU referendum result. In my 70-year life span I can't recall a time of such political chaos, fraught with dangers both economic and social. 

'I am ashamed to be English'

'I have not felt like this since I lost my Dad.   The hedge fund people ran the campaign by peddlong lies and they will be the only benefactors.  As far as I am concerned, the fight begins now' 

And finally, 

'Pull yorself together, we will be fine in the end, remember the British Bulldog, this is a good choice'  

'I am a global citizen and I am very upset' 

 Our divided land.  In it's capital I relax with friend and family.  The referendum result dominates our conversation.  There seem to be rays of hope.  Coffee, lunch and a walk in the park.  Here are my favourites from the RA Schools Show. 

 Yeasty Yeast Balls

Elliot Dodd

Dead Man 

Kira Freije

Home now to rain but FGW were kind.