One of the basic questions in the test for dementia is whether you know the name of the prime minister. But at the moment I think mum can be forgiven for not knowing who’s in charge. Like many people in UK we’ve been in shock since the results of the referendum to leave the European Union were announced. In fact, the situation is so momentous I really have to blog about it.
Both mum and I voted to remain in Europe. As we live in an area with a high proportion of Leave voters I know for a fact that many people thought leaving the EU would magically improve aspects of their lives which had nothing to do with Europe at all. Of course, some people will have voted Leave after serious thought. I hope for all our sakes that their assessment of the situation may prove correct – but it’s not looking that way at the moment.
It’s become clear that David Cameron, who’s just resigned as Prime Minister, didn’t expect to lose the referendum – and that Boris Johnson, his rival in the Leave campaign, didn’t expect to win. It gets better. There’s no strategy in place for leaving the EU; no one even knows who’s going to be on the negotiating team. This huge event has happened and the people who should be dealing with it seem to be in as much shock as the rest of us. The whole thing was to do with internal politics of the ruling elite and now the rest of us have to pay the price.
The win, which was by a margin of less than 2%, has revealed a huge fault line running through UK society. People say we must pull together, but I think it’s important to acknowledge that it was such a close result. Many people have remarked they’ve heard better and more sensible debates about the issues involved in the last few days than in all the weeks leading up to the referendum, which was marred by venial and spiteful lies.
I think one reason Leave won was that they seized control of the discourse. And they should not be allowed to do that again. Already, one of the oft repeated slogans is that this has been a victory for ‘ordinary decent people’ – as if the 16 million plus people who voted Remain were not decent, were not ordinary. As if there are 16 million bankers and industrialists opposed to those decent people who voted Leave. I do find this personally offensive.
However, it’s too late now. What should never have happened has happened and we have to live with the consequences. Those of us who wanted to be Europeans can be so no longer. But when mum says she doesn’t know who’s running the country, I can assure her: no one else knows either!
livingwithmotherblog 
This was so amazing. You have the brain space left while managing all that you have to do in caring for your mum to write something so clear and eloquent about the dreadful situation we have been put in by our at best incompetent leaders. Thank you
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Headline 1.3 million older people in Britain newly diagnosed with dementia because they don’t know the name of the Prime Minister.
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Well said Polly – such a mess, so likely to lead to a severely diminished UK (losing Scotland?!) in so many ways. And Labour going in for self-evisceration big time. And all due to Cameron’s weakness in allowing the referendum in the 1st place- his legacy is even worse than Blair’s!
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We must talk soon!
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An excellent post. Such a shame that Cameron called for such an unnecessary referendum. I am sending you a link that I think you will enjoy. http://www.thepoke.co.uk/2016/06/29/guy-tried-sum-post-brexit-situation-uk-facebook-absurd/
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Yes that link really sums up the absurdity of the situation – which has got even better now that the guy who has spent years campaigning ‘to get our country back’ has resigned just when he got what he wanted! Because he obviously hasn’t got a clue what to actually do next. It would be funny if it wasn’t so awful!
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Very insightful…yet with your trademark dash of humor that is so delightful. 🙂 Of course, here on the other side of the pond, we have our own terrifying election approaching fast…!
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Yes, more terrifying actually.
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Surrounded by mobocracy in action–no “good” choices–I confess it’s a struggle not to let my misanthropic tendencies drive me into *total* seclusion, never to emerge. I just keep praying “May we all be at peace…”
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Darla, it is really hard to believe what is happening. There are many many people who also hate what’s going on and who are decent and altruistic. But sadly, there are many others who are small-minded, biased and full of hate. Its like the witch trials – they just want to find someone else to blame. Perhaps withdrawing is a temporary answer – the I Ching would probably say so. Bug hug, Polx
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Hi there, I’m a journalist and would really like to talk more about this post. Can you drop me a line and I can give you more info? ella.dove@hearst.co.uk Thanks!
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