Don't functioning democracies need a fair and balanced press and an educated and rational electorate? How are people supposed to make an informed vote on the EU? I think the referendum has been extremely damaging to the UK and will sow divisions for years to come, no matter what the turnout. If democracy is the power to choose, well what's really the point of that if the electorate is unable to make rational, fact based decisions?

As someone who is obviously interested in the political process, are you not concerned that a great deal of the Brexit campaign isn't about economics, history or the complex workings of trade agreements and power, but simply a lot of deep anti-immigration sentiment whipped up by a very conservative and divisive print media, who blame the EU and immigration for the fallout of what is actually the fault of an economic doctrine that even the IMF says is creating stagnation and destructive inequality?

Some commentators here openly admit they don't care what qualified people have to say, and would rather reduce the entire argument down, complex though it is, to some sort sort of binary choice, based on sentiments rather than facts. It seems a strange concept of democracy if a great majority of the electorate rely on soundbites and heavily biased reporting from a media whose editorial stance is dictated by less than six individuals - none of which seem to like the electorate much and don't pay any tax either.

I hold the opposite view: just as the Scottish referendum provided renewed impetus to that part of the UK, so this national referendum will do the same for the rest of the country.

I have attempted to address some aspects of your post in my last one - the binary choice.

For the economic arguments I refer you to the thread "the economic crisis" which lies within this HUBB pub.
In summary, the so called economic experts "would say that, wouldn't they", being fully integrated pieces of the problem.

It is all evolving.

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Dave

At a very rough guess it takes something like 40 years for half the current population to die and be replaced. So, assuming one side wins by 1% and no imbalance of mind changing occurs we have concensus until 2036 or so. Birth rate vs immigration and qualification to vote may change the numbers but the answer isn't 2018 as I'm sure some poor losers will want.

Same goes for Scotland, ask again in a generation, although maybe we have done this in the wrong order, Scotland in the EU and England out may fit better.

I still think if we vote stay the EU will give us a beasting for rocking the boat.

Andy

I'd be interested to hear 'expert' opinion on this...

EU referendum: Chancellor says NI border checks 'inevitable' if UK leaves EU - BBC News

If it happens there it'll happen everywhere. Or is Georgie boy just stirring the pot

The border was open before we joined the EU and those treaties still exist. The Irish government would have to choose between hacking off their biggest trading partners and upsetting their masters in Brussels. They'd fudge something to have their cake and eat it (this would be known as a fudge cake )

Andy

Andy, you are right because....

http://izquotes.com/quotes-pictures/...olf-293714.jpg

In your own ways you are all agreeing with the late George C:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIraCchPDhk

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Dave

I prefer to think of it that he is agreeing with me!