Youth view that Brexit was racist is such an insult
I was encouraged to learn the viewpoints on Brexit of some of the younger generation in You magazine last week. Most had well reasoned, measured responses. But I found some disappointing.
Fox Rawding, 17, from the Isle of Wight, said the EU ‘protects the interests of citizens from their governments’. In fact it tries to ‘Europeanise’ every aspect of our lives. He also believed many people who voted ‘Leave’ regret it.
The same can be said of those who voted ‘Remain’, particularly after the ‘project fear’ prophets of doom have proven to be wrong and admitted as much.
And for him to say the ‘Leavers’ are ‘OK with racism’ is insulting to the vast majority who have made it clear the issue is about uncontrolled admission to our country through being a citizen of another EU country. We have a rich heritage of multiculturalism in the UK, and long may that continue to be the case.
Another said she voted ‘Remain’ because of the opportunity to work, live and travel easily to 27 other fantastic countries. Where does she live and work? In Dubai!
Brian M. Gunn, Ruislip, Middlesex I voted Brexit and I am proud of it. I do not regret it and, furthermore, I do have a problem with racism. Most of our public services, especially the NHS, would be hardpressed to operate without workers from Europe and further afield. What is a concern is not the migrants already here but the tens of thousands that would flock to the UK in the coming years. We need to be selective in deciding who comes into this country.
A. Thompson, Manchester I’m in my 30s but the problem I have with Brexit is something inter-generational. I’m from the Republic of Ireland but was born and spent my formative years in Northern Ireland, so I have dual Irish and UK nationality. I worked as a customs and excise officer patrolling the border between the Republic and the North, and after the British military checkpoints were removed in January 2005 it finally felt as if tensions had eased. Theresa May says the Government will not implement border controls there when Britain leaves the EU and I want to believe what she’s saying, but I don’t see how that will work if the UK wants to keep out illegal immigrants. That’s why I voted Remain.
J. Bell, London Megan Conneely said she will apply for an Irish passport. Why would she chose to tie her future into an EU member state that still refuses to give women access to abortion, a basic human right?
Millie Clarke, London The remarks made by some of the teenagers shows why they should not vote until they’re 18.
T. Sayer, Bristol