As we head towards the UK Brexit vote on June 23, the case to stay in is so overwhelming that …. almost half of Europe wants its own in-out vote.
Meanwhile UK Prime minister David Cameron ratcheted up the fearmongering parade to a new level. “Peace at Risk” says Cameron.
Almost Half of Europe Wants EU In-Out Vote
An Ipos-Mori poll shows Nearly Half of Europeans Want UK-Style EU Referendum.
- Almost half (45%) of Europeans in the researched countries think their own country should hold a referendum on its EU membership.
- Again support for a referendum varies, though is never lower than four in ten, from 38% in Hungary to majorities in Italy and France (58% and 55%).
The poll was conducted between March 25 and April 8.
In-Out Results by Country
Results Slide Show
Cut the Ties and be Done With It
“Peace at Risk” Says Fearmonger Cameron
Carrying his fearmongering to new levels, David Cameron Says Leaving EU Puts Peace at Risk.
David Cameron on Monday raised the stakes in the EU referendum debate, invoking the Balkans war and genocide in Srebrenica to make his case that Britain and the rest of Europe were more secure within a strong union.
“The European Union has helped reconcile countries which were at each others’ throats for decades,” Mr Cameron said.
On Sunday, Michael Gove, justice secretary, said the European Court of Justice was making Britain less safe by interfering in how intelligence agencies could collect data.
But on Monday Mr Cameron highlighted the exchange of key intelligence in combating terrorism, citing the example of DNA matching between Belgian and French police that helped trap those involved in the attacks on Paris and Brussels.
[Mish comment: The UK needs to be in the EU to cooperate on terrorism?! What kind of nonsensical argument is that? Does the US need to be in the EU as well? Meanwhile, let me point out the failure of France and Belgium to prevent terrorist attacks twice].
The prime minister delved deep into history, arguing that Britain’s military victories, including the sinking of the Spanish armada, are evidence of a common European heritage that should not be cast aside.
The Remain campaign has also released a video featuring four second world war veterans, including Labour-supporting Harry Leslie Smith, who emphasise the benefits of unity in Europe.
[Mish comment: Is there a threat the UK will sink the newly rebuilt Spanish Armada? What Armada is that?]
The history lesson may be intended to appeal to older men — the demographic most inclined to vote for Brexit. Only 30 per cent of people aged over 65 currently intend to vote to stay in the EU, according to polling by Ipsos Mori.
Brexiters have made hay from the prospect of an EU army, which many see as a further encroachment on UK sovereignty. Germany is pushing for joint headquarters and military assets, according to a draft paper that is unlikely to be published until after the referendum on June 23.
Sweep it Under the Rug
By all means, let’s sweep all the unsavory things under the rug today that might negatively influence the vote – Joint military assets, financial transaction taxes, increased tariffs, more regulations, global warming nonsense, bank bail-ins, refugee schemes, etc. etc.
The rug will be lifted on June 24. On that date, if the UK votes to stay in, it will discover a hole of immense proportions oozing countless schemes the UK will regret.
Brexit Poll Tracker
Let’s tune into the Financial Times’ Brexit Poll Tracker.
Brexit Ahead in One Recent Poll
A May 3 polls shows 45% for Brexit, 44% for Staying in EU.
Ahead of the UK referendum on EU membership in June, the latest poll is showing how close the vote is likely to be. It may be only a 1 percent change downwards for the leave campaign, but it all counts.
According to a weekly online poll published by opinion poll firm ICM Tuesday, 45 percent of voters were in favor of Brexit, against 44 percent who believe Britain should remain in the 28-member bloc.
A similar poll published last week by ICM found 44 percent of voters wanted to remain in the EU compared with 46 percent who wanted to leave.
Conducted between April 29 and May 3, the survey was weighted to take into account the likelihood of respondents actually voting in the June 23 EU membership referendum based on their comments, ICM said.
A separate poll for the Observer newspaper on Sunday showed the campaign to stay in the EU had a one percentage point lead over the those who wanted to leave.
Take Back Control
The photo above shows London Mayor Boris Johnson demonstrating in favor of Britain leaving the EU.
“Take Back Control” is not only a very strong slogan, it’s the correct one. As stated above, all kinds of unsavory things being discussed behind the scenes will surface the moment the UK opts in.
Among them are joint military forces, financial transaction taxes, increased tariffs, global warming nonsense, bank bail-ins, and refugee schemes.
The UK has nothing to win and everything to lose if it opts in.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Spot on analysis I would say. Some of us here are genuinely afraid for the future of our children if we end up staying in. Lets hope sense prevails and we get out!
Just like the rest of Europeans the majority of Brits are brain dead ball-less socialists. I would be shocked if they found the courage to elect a real right wing government, let alone exit the EU-SSR… 🙂
Political correctness used to stifle dissenting speech will suppress any legitimate resistance to this madness, leaving only violent extremist to “speak out”. Surely they know this.
Voting every four years entitles you to neutrality at all other times.
Only a fool would hold an opinion that has anything to do with race, gender, migration, government, arms, drugs, war, terrorism, climate, religion, money, public, law, legislation, window fittings… etc.
Isn’t privacy compatible with all of that? I mean, you have to declare everything to authority so as to know what you can keep private, and surely that means that they know what you are allowed to not keep private also?
Am I missing something here?
Please, it is so confusing, tell me what I should be saying, I want to get it right, I want to be president, I want I want I want.
Just a minute, while we rig the ballot system,,,,,,,,,OK, all set, you can vote now.
Exactly.
Yep. There is indeed a level of mistrust here. There is also a petition set up calling for the ballot to be counted by three separate independent organisations. Will never happen.
Reminds me of last Sunday’s “Dilbert”, where his boss tells him to design voting machine software and Dilbert wants to know who the boss wants to be president, and by what margin.
Scare worked with the Greeks and Scots so why not the Brits?
So….. 1) if WW3 was going to be a risk why would we even be allowed to vote?
and 2) If exiting was going to be such a big risk why did the UK not get to radical amendments to our membership?
I am calling BS on the Remain campaign VOTE LEAVE
On the one hand NATO representatives say UK exit will weaken the cooperation between NATO and EU in dealing with adversaries – Russia and Ukraine being the example use ( a joint military and economic front)
http://aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/brexit-would-be-bad-for-nato-hints-alliance-chief/555234
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/09/eu-referendum-nato-chiefs-warn-brexit-will-give-succour-to-the-w/
Whereas others well placed view the opposite, that EU is confusing and a danger to recognized geopolicy
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/08/far-from-keeping-britain-safe-the-european-union-is-a-threat-to/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/09/the-eu-does-not-preserve-peace-in-europe–instead-it-has-brought/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/09/it-is-an-eu-army-that-could-bring-about-war/
UK exiting EU will weaken NATO political control over EU, that should be welcomed as it is not NATO’s business to provide hidden backing to offensive political excursions.
For anyone who is not aware of my point of view already , I clearly do not support Russian methods either . I do not support EU meddling in its neighbour states , I do not support US covert pressure and influence , nor a US hegemony implied by a NATO , a defence pact, used as a springboard for adventurism , nor its existence being used as political leverage by member states opaquely within EU . It is a very (extremely) dangerous construct when that is all taken as a whole , due to its fragility and opaqueness , due to the unpredictable actions that might result because of the reliance on unsecured national decisions and the number of fringe actors that are handed the ability to shape the evolution of any pursuit .
That is not even to mention the sheer incompetence of EU decision making , the economic and political stagnation of the block , the need to keep the horizon rolling instead of having it stop and everyone look around at the evolution so far , then inwards , then at the construct that pretends itself a success . NATO should be no part of that .
Cameron is the only Brit endangering peace by his being a coward-surrender-monkey.
Ban Cameron from the UK – snark snark
Cameron is looking forward to being placed in a high EU position once he delivers his country on a silver platter. Many English bloggers want out of the EU. Many forget that once delivered London financial market will become a part of the EUM and thus have to live with their regulations and oversight. Germany is trying to replace London as the financial center for the EU.
So Hilter wins Europe after all is said and done…..
SAD!
There is only one hope for the world and that is decentralization…..the exact opposite of the direction we are now headed. There is no reason while individual states cannot peacefully coexist and trade, as it appears to me that collectivizing the world is leading to a world wide CIVIL war. Those convinced that the “new world order” will save us are the same fools that believed that communism would save the world as well….and exactly how many million did that movement kill?
“.and exactly how many million did that movement kill?”
Let’s see, in Russia, China, the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, in some african countries, ok that’s enough, it makes Hitler look like an ordinary serial killer.
Stay in the European Union so Obama and Hillary can control you easier.
It’s the other way. The UK leaving, will tie them closer to the US. But will remove the US Government’s main conduit for having a say in EU affairs. Likely causing the US to focus attention on getting their “buddy” on the other side of Europe, Turkey, increased say.
Let a few million more Muslims into Great Britain to swing the stay vote once and for all. London is now 40% Muslim. Europe is self destructing even faster than the US, but we are not far behind.
I read 12% with 30% in some London neighbourhoods.. but 40% of Muslims want Shariah law, and projections of future Muslim population are upwards.
Soon to be renamed Londonstan! The Queen will start wearing a burka!
Must be hard on strict Muslims taking on a nationality where their ruler is a woman. Seriously.
Not sure how to help them with that, maybe they aren’t really Muslims ? No one forces British nationality on people, so I suppose nationality is of little importance in the greater plan?
?
Maybe someone Muslim would explain this to me here?
Somehow, their will be 10 times as many Muslims voting against Brexit than actually exists. Magic voting machines, compliments of Goldman Sachs, George Soros, et al.
The biggest threats to peace are the barking mad whack-jobs like the latest US Ambassador to Hungary.
http://original.antiwar.com/daniel-mcadams/2016/05/08/us-ambassador-hungary-overthrow-assad-let-refugees-fight-russia-else/
Very interesting bile, thanks for the link.
Now I know all I have to do to be an ambassador is raise a couple million for the democrat candidate, and keep on spouting the Party Line.
The Spanish Armada was sunk by a divine wind.
Forget the polls. This thing is not even close. Stay wins in a landslide.Which is more reliable, what someone tells a pollster or where they put their money? Stay is now 1/3, and shortening from 1/2 a little while ago.
http://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/eu-referendum/referendum-on-eu-membership-result
The First World War was the result of a deadly series of alliances designed to counter the bellicose attitude of the then German Empire. When the Austro-Hungarian heir to the throne was assassinated in 1914, Russia defended Serbia, Germany defended Austria-Hungary, France had a strong alliance with Russia. The UK was drawn in when Germany violated the neutrality of Belgium. In 1918 the Russian, Austro-Hungarian and German empires ceased to exist. By 1939, much of Europe was governed by dictators with territorial ambitions – notably Germany and Italy. It was the German invasion of Poland (which was allied to the UK) which caused war. These conditions no longer prevail in Europe.
ever heard of NATO, sam?
Have you? The treaty to form NATO was signed 4 April 1949 so how is that relevant to what Cameron is saying? If UK steps out from EU the influence of NATO will diminish in Europe. Is that the real worry here?
Perhaps I misunderstood you, sam. I thought you were saying the mutual defense treaties between nations, which caused a quick escalation of WW2, were no longer in effect.
The chart of the London FTSE indicates (Elliott waves) Great Britain is slipping further into bear territory. Social mood drives both financials and politics. A growing negative social mood in finance implies BREXIT becomes even more likely every day mood deteriorates.
Things for Merkel are about to get bad very quickly as well. The DAX chart is signaling (Elliott waves) the crash phase has begun.
Peace is at risk, Brexit or no Brexit.
Cameron is peddling fiction.
As a Brit one shows respect to the elected leader to the limit, it is a matter of duty. Cameron has passed that limit, he is on the wrong side, whether there is Brexit or not. It isn’t even a question of Europe or not, it is to watch someone trying to make something work that won’t, where there is a severe penalty for trying.
This is about independence and the freedom to choose a democratically elected government, and not be run by Germany. All the other arguments are speculation and noise.
All the ethnic British I have talked to want out.I just hope there are enough of them left to swing it.