How will you vote in the EU referendum?

Just wondering what ordinary citizens in other European countries think about the UK leaving the EU? If it were me I'd probably be saying why should the UK get special treatment if they don't like things as they are then leave. I wouldn't blame them for thinking that way they must be sick of hearing us bleating to be honest.

As someone living in Scotland I regard my vote as equal to anyone's in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The decision will be made by the UK.

Anniebach, this is another very valid point. Since we are a 'united' Kingdom, then all constituent parts should have an equal say. OK, there is a vast difference in size, but England could have been divided up into regions. Then it could have been a majority of regions, or even as in Switzerland for an important decision, all the region's ( I think I'm right juragran if you're there?)

Tanith this is exactly why I've never liked referenda. It presupposes that the people voting have the time and inclination to find out the available information and analyse it. My experience in Switzerland - the home of constant referenda - was that most people just believed what the media told them and often didn't bother to vote at all - either because they were confused or apathy struck! Generally the turn out was less than 30%.
When they voted on joining the EU, my neighbour told me she was voting against because she'd heard the Portuguese were stockpiling tins of lead-based paint to flood the Swiss shops??!!

Considering the population of Scotland, N .Ireland and Wales is approx five and half million and the population of England is well over fifty million the decision will be made by England , also unfair is the MP's for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have the campaigning for the three countries parliaments in May whilst the MP's of England only have the June referendum to campaign for

Badenkate You confirm my point exactly - monsters and their tea/coffee preferences are completely irrelevant to the advantages/disadvantages of being in the EU and should be ignored while we consider the facts and the pros and cons.

The personalities of politicians who support either in or out are completely irrelevant too, but that is what much of the rhetoric seems to be about.

Sorry that should say 'the other opposing supposedly intelligent side telling me the same thing'.

I find myself more confused this morning, for goodness sake if those who understand how these things work much more than I do can't agree, how the bloody hell can I decide when I'm looking to them for advise.

I'm also contemplating not voting as I really don't know what I am voting for its all too confusing. One supposedly intelligent side telling me that their way is absolutely best for us and the other opposing supposedly telling me the same thing.

Totally of London.

Badenkate

I think that depends on their life chances, living conditions and opportunities for work . Some may well see things in a very different light.

I agree if you watch for example Question Time or the Youth Parliament they are interested in politics and have an adult outlook. They are more likely to respond to surveys or be asked in the first place. Surveys and Polls have indicators but they have been proven to not account for the so called Silent Majority.

Partisan Politics ,name calling and activism by some has obviously been par for the course if you join threads on the politics forum. You either love it or hate it, join with or speak against.

For goodness sake, can't we debate more adultly as the vote for our staying in or coming out of the European Union is possibly one of the most serious decisions we as individuals have had to make for decades.

I accept individuals, parties will obviously be spoken of but do we need this constant barrage of what can only be deemed as almost hatred for those who hold a different opinion. It does nothing for the thread, it does nothing for the debate and whilst individuals and political parties will inevitably be brought into conversation at least stick to facts and civility, just for bloody once.

Ignoring the entertaining but strange discussion on monsters, tea, and coffee, it perhaps is worth noting the attitude of those that this decision will affect the most: the young. In all the surveys that I've seen, the overwhelming majority are for remaining in the EU. They clearly feel that the opportunities for studying, travelling, and work will be much greater for them if we remain in. I also get the impression they think of themselves much more as Europeans than perhaps most of the older generations.

Has anyone else read Gove's statement that's in the Independent? Worth a read and I agree with Philip Collins in wanting a direct reply to it from Remain.

You think you'll stick to plain tapwater until the count is in, Luckygirl and then take tea or coffee as the majority decide?

I think most of us are trying very hard to consider the points for and against. It is difficult task. At the moment I am feeling that I simply will not vote (ducks). It seems to me the only honest option that remains.

Does that colour that person's opinion on tea versus coffee, and make decent people choose not to drink the one he/she would drink?

Some think a person needs to be responsible for the deaths of thousands before they are considered a monster, I disagree . A man who causes the death of one person can be classed a monster

If one of the monsters announced that he preferred coffee to tea, it would be ridiculous to deduce that coffee would poison you and refuse ever to drink it again.

But that is not likely to bring any dyed-in-the-wool anti-monsterist round to considering the points for and against drinking it before throwing all their beans into the bin, and declaring that the monster was enriching all his ex-playgroup coffee -growing friends.

There are and have been many monsters in this world but to describe anyone from any UK political party as such is insulting and stupid, or perhaps not to understand what that word means. Hitler, Mao Zedong, Papa Doc, Stalin Pol Pot, IS, the list both past and present is endless. I don't think any of the conservative MPs mentioned are about to open up a torture chamber or shoot people for the hell of it. That's what monsters do !!

Its the issues that matter!

I'm with you there Anya! However, deciding whether or not to stay in or out based on your media formed view of the personalities of people who are voting one particular way seems daft to me.

Undecided about in v out? Look at this lot, do you really want to find yourself on their side? #stuffofnightmares”

That's how I feel about certain posters on GN!!!

theconversation.com/the-uk-deal-with-the-eu-explained-what-it-says-and-what-it-means-55052

By an expert in EU law at Essex University.

But you commented after I had posted it, Ana.
You are always ready to comment on my posts before you even understand them.

Six reasons not to support Brexit.

"That’s right – some of the nastiest monsters in the Conservative Party want the UK out of Europe.

They include John Whittingdale, Theresa Villiers, Michael Gove, Chris Grayling, Iain Duncan Smith and Priti Patel.

In the words of Dr Jacky Davis: “Undecided about in v out? Look at this lot, do you really want to find yourself on their side? #stuffofnightmares”

Oh – and they’re even lying on their poster, by the way. The UK has never lost control as all EU laws must be ratified by the UK Parliament before they become active here… and the total amount of EU legislation, measured between the late 1990s and around 2010, comes to around 6.8 per cent of UK primary legislation and 14.1 per cent of statutory instruments – not the massive majority we’ve been led to believe."

I could hardly have read it before you posted it, and can't see how MPs can be compared to doctors, who are in the business of saving lives, after all.

You haven't read it then, Ana. This is the first Saturday that the government has worked since 1982!