The bike ride

So yesterday, I joined two esteemed friends for a quick bike ride down the coast. We started in Prestatyn and (having explored the excellent trek to Rhyl last time) decided to explore the cycle route towards Talacre and Mostyn.

Before long conversation turned to the EU referendum debate. Two of us, myself included were pro-brexit. One was not. As we rode we shared arguments, my main arguments for voting Brexit were.

  • Although we'd all witnessed evidence of local spending, it's misdirected. 
  • Local schools can't pay for books or computers but we've got a statue in Holywell town centre!
We also discussed the benefits of being in the EU and we agreed that none of us really understood, what the EU was responsible for. We all agreed that the fear campaign was ineffective, if anything, counter productive, as it caused brexit campaigners to dig it's heels in further. 

However, the conversation got under my skin, and the association with Gove, Johnson, Patel and Farage caused discomfort. I also heard Corbyn on the Channels 4's the last leg. He's doesn't seem overly concerned. 

But why? 

What is responsible for the misspending and problems in the UK?

I found it difficult to find something that listed the EU's actual achievements. but eventually I stumbled across this. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/11/whats-eu-ever-done-us

Which listed.... (as EU achievements)

  • 57% of our trade; 
  • structural funding to areas hit by industrial decline; 
  • clean beaches and rivers; 
  • cleaner air; 
  • lead free petrol; 
  • restrictions on landfill dumping; 
  • a recycling culture; 
  • cheaper mobile charges; 
  • cheaper air travel; 
  • improved consumer protection and food labelling; 
  • a ban on growth hormones and other harmful food additives; 
  • better product safety; 
  • single market competition bringing quality improvements and better industrial performance; 
  • break up of monopolies; 
  • Europe-wide patent and copyright protection; 
  • no paperwork or customs for exports throughout the single market; 
  • price transparency and removal of commission on currency exchanges across the eurozone; 
  • freedom to travel, live and work across Europe; 
  • funded opportunities for young people to undertake study or work placements abroad; 
  • access to European health services; 
  • labour protection and enhanced social welfare; 
  • smoke-free workplaces; 
  • equal pay legislation; 
  • holiday entitlement; 
  • the right not to work more than a 48-hour week without overtime; 
  • strongest wildlife protection in the world;
  • improved animal welfare in food production; 
  • EU-funded research and industrial collaboration; 
  • EU representation in international forums; 
  • bloc EEA negotiation at the WTO; 
  • EU diplomatic efforts to uphold the nuclear non-proliferation treaty; 
  • European arrest warrant; 
  • cross border policing to combat human trafficking, arms and drug smuggling; 
  • counter terrorism intelligence; 
  • European civil and military co-operation in post-conflict zones in Europe and Africa; 
  • support for democracy and human rights across Europe and beyond; 
  • investment across Europe contributing to better living standards and educational, 
  • social and cultural capital.
Not bad list I thought, but some of these we'd have done on out own. And it still cost  billions a year to be in the 'EU' and as Boris told us. We could build a new hospital every week with that!

So I looked at spending, and I found something which changed my mind. IN fact since then I found this.... admittedly this is 2010, but its a more fun game. 

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/10/18/1287395985282/Public-spending-graphic-005.jpg

I can't even see the EU spending bubble (let me know if you find it)...

And the conclusion I came to was this..... 

1) If we weren't in the EU, I probably wouldn't have been supported by the state, after paying NI for so many years, and suffering a mental breakdown last year. I doubt Farage, Boris, or any of the Tories would be as sympathetic as the EU towards my health issues. I know mental well being is something Corbyn is passionate about, but Labour isn't in power. It would certainly be a gamble. 

2) The core beliefs of the EU are sound. Some of them could be corrupt. But surely European peace (and the benefits above) are worth the price we pay?

3) If the money we spend was re-circulated back into the system... would we even notice if the people with the spending power are inept? I don't think we would. I certainly wouldn't trust the Tories with it!

4) The failings of this country are not the failings of the EU. They're the failings of the Government spending plans. So in order to win the #remain debate, David Cameron would have to admit his own Parties failings. So he's got no option but to try and scare the bejeezus out of us. Catch 22.

5) It's not the EU's responsibility to put books and computers in our schools. With their aims, they may not be doing too bad a job.

And finally, if we weren't the EU, I wouldn't have been having a nice bike ride, along the EU funded cycle track along North Wales. 










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