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This photo of “my calm world” here in Tasmania is at odds with the political chaos in the land of my birth.
I am shocked by Britain’s vote to leave the European Union.
I am not political and voting is not compulsory in the UK. I did not think to register for a postal vote and I admit that I have not read much about the referendum debate. There is more than enough political coverage with a federal election here in Australia on 2nd July.
But I did not expect this result from Britain. The coming days and months will be interesting on a national and global scale.
I hope Britain does not end up with Donald Trump as it’s only friend. The world feels a little crazy right now.
RuthsArc 
Agreed Ruth – we are gutted here a terribly sad day for the UK. Worrying trends with people voting on the grounds of racial prejudices, bigoted opinions etc looking for a scapegoat for their perceived problems. Very unsettling and destabilising 😦
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Rosemary, yes a sad day. History in the making. I hadn’t been reading much about it but Adam still reads “The Times” newspaper on iPad, so he was more aware of how close the opinions were and how diversive the feels were across the country. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
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Yes it seems as if the country is bitterly divided Ruth. I am shocked by it all and dismayed to think of the consequences. I think many of the people who voted to leave will be the biggest losers in all of this but they don’t seem to get it. Sad times.
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The referendum debate was poisonous – on both sides – so you didn’t miss much. Every council area in Scotland voted to Remain which did us no good whatsoever. Despairing today.
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Annabel, there is so much to play out now from this decision. I wonder how future generations will look back on this day? But it is not just the UK. It seems to be a bigger trend with no middle ground, politics pushing to extreme views.
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I agree Ruth. The world does feel crazy right now 😦
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Oh Joanne. Canada seems to be one of the sensible countries right now. With a good looking leader 🙂 ha ha.
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We were overdue. Hopefully Australia’s turn is next!
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It certainly would be interesting if, as here, voting was compulsory. Also, I seem to recall that referenda involving constitutional change require 75% of the votes, and a majority of states.
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It is interesting how the constitution has evolved in different countries.
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It is bewildering to me that an issue with such huge ramifications could be voted in by only 36% of the population (52% x 70% turnout).
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True. I think many people are only just really thinking about the ramifications. It will be interesting to see this play out.
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I am amazed at the result, but I think, as one of your replies has said, about 36% of the population should not be able to change a country to this extent. Very unsettling for everyone.
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Strange times indeed.
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Britten may have other friends as well… seems there’s now a groundswell in other EU countries for self determination to be given a chance! I’m not too sure that the EU hasn’t gone to far in forcing through too many restrictive laws that stifle a national identity!
I live in an EU country… I write policy documents and often have to use the EU legislation as reference… over and above national laws. Cumbersome… and often excessively restrictive! I think that’s why the referendum was eventually forced on the government… and I think the result may force other governments into the same situation. As you say… interesting days ahead!
(I’m sticking my neck out here… maybe Trump is the lesser of the two evils!!) 😉
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Interesting to hear that you write policy docs AJ. But it seems today, all the angst is now about England’s exit from Euro16.
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Yep… I don’t know which exit has impacted the good folk of the UK the most!! 😉 Shall I be bold and say one is good and one is bad? No… both good?? Sorry… I couldn’t resist!!
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Terrible decision, terrible divisions. Adam Hill’s ‘The Last Leg’ tonight focussed on UK/EU woes – cathartic to be able to laugh about something that is no laughing matter.
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Certainly crazy times in the UK. We’ve enjoyed “The Last Leg” since it began as a London Paralympic show. We saw a live recording whilst living in London. Good fun whatever the topic.
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