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Better the EU we know?

REGARDING the referendum, I think most people have made their minds up one way or the other.

But, for the 20 per cent who are not yet sure, here is something that might help you.

Many people are saying there is not enough information out there, I would argue that there is too much information out there and a lot of it is false on both sides.

So I would like to offer this analogy which might help you to see the problem a lot clearer.

If we think of our union with the EU as a type of marriage, albeit one of convenience rather than love, then we need to ask ourselves the following questions before we jump the fence to the grass that looks greener on the other side.

Firstly financial, can we afford to live in one house while still paying the mortgage on the first one which we will be forced legally to do?

If we wish to trade with them we will still have to contribute but have no say in how that money is spent.

Secondly, how will we be affected by family and friends if we desert them – birthdays, Christmas, weddings,

etc?

Or, put another way, Scotland, French border controls, German-owned factories in England?

Thirdly and most important of all, what if we get it wrong?

What if we have been thinking with our hearts and not our heads, perhaps we are remembering life before our union, based on happy memories of long, hot summers and forgetting the long, cold winters.

If we do get it wrong, is there any way back? Can we return to the family home full of deep regret, like the return of the prodigal son?

Or have we burned our bridges and there is no way back for us?

Loneliness can last a long time and what we are voting on is not just about us, it’s the future of our grandchildren that is at stake here.

Is the devil you know better than the one you do not? Answer these questions and you will know how to vote on June 23.

One final point, in or out, 51 to 49 per cent. Either way it has to be the end of it, if we are out then that is that.

But if we are in by just two per cent it’s no good the losers calling for a new vote in a year or so’s time, like some of the Scottish voters are doing by saying it was too close to call.

You decide and that’s the end of it, no more talking.

R CARTWRIGHT

Pinnegar Way, Swindon

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Reasons for in and out

ARE you voting to leave the EU because of the immigrants?

Would an eye test from an Italian optometrist make you shudder?

If the plumber had an Austrian accent would you ask him to leave?

Does a solicitor wearing a turban make you feel confused and angry?

If you answered yes, then a vote for leave is the vote for you.

If you answered no, congratulations, you aren’t a racist, so it’s probably best you don’t vote like a racist.

Are you voting to leave the EU because you think creeping bureaucracy has diminished our national sovereignty?

When there’s a story on the news about fishing quotas do you stand in front of the telly and shout about “FREEEEDOM” like Mel Gibson in Braveheart?

Do you actually, genuinely believe that Brussels tried to pass a law on the curvature of bananas?

If yes, vote leave. If no, congratulations, you aren’t a moron, so don’t vote like one.

Are you voting to leave the EU because Nigel Farage seems like a top bloke to have a pint with and BoJo makes you laugh?

Would you take mortgage advice off Johnny Vegas?

If I put a little fluffy blonde wig on a toad and taught it to croak “wiffy-waffy bahhh humbug johnny foreigner” would you let it loose on your credit cards and savings account? Yes? Leave. No? Remain.

JOSEPH THEOBALD

Nine Elms, Swindon

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A return to greatness

FORGET all the politicians and all the others that stand to gain. Just think and discuss with friends what is the best long-term for your country and offspring.

Just look at what Leicester City achieved, by working together in a multi-racial team, they worked hard and stuck to a plan, no large budget.

The UK can succeed and be more successful. Let us go back to the great nation we were, starting next week.

The problem is we should never have joined in the first place. Just think, one good result, we can get rid of Brussels, Cameron and most of all Osbourne.

T AUSTIN

Kent Road, Swindon

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Rhetoric like a poison

RESPONDING to the Adver’s report and picture (United We Stand) June 18, at time of writing none of us know if the toxicity of the EU referendum debate was a factor in the appalling murder of Labour MP Jo Cox.

What we do know by listening to the phone-ins and watching the debates is that the relentless hostility directed at refugees and migrants from the Daily Mail, The Sun and The Daily Express and supported by the more prominent members of the Brexit campaign has led to a climate of fear in some communities not seen since the National Front was at its peak in the 1970s.

After the referendum is over, we hope those responsible for the inflammatory rhetoric will feel shame at the way they have conducted themselves throughout this poisonous EU debate.

MARTIN and MARK WEBB

Swindon Road, Swindon

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Europe needs Britain

A FEW months ago when the fight for Remain or Leave votes began in earnest. Simon Jenkins, probably my favourite journalist, surprised me when he said in his Guardian column, he preferred we leave.

Over the proceeding weeks he gave no hint he was changing his mind, why? The answer was typical Simon! In 1940 when Europe was overrun by the German army, Britain was the only hope that one day Europe would be free again.

If Britain leaves the EU Germany will be leading Europe without a fight.

Britain must vote remain and lead Europe or it will be failing in its duty to our fallen heroes. Remember, a referendum is “frozen in time” when policy needs might change.

MJ WARNER

Groundwell Road, Swindon

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Seek out the true facts

ADVER readers keep asking for true facts, and Steve Halden (June 18) writes the fall of the Roman Empire was caused by local populations wishing to regain their independence – what a load of rubbish! Typical Brexit misinformation for Joe Public.

If Steve looked these things up he would be asking: “Why did Britain sink into the Dark Ages when they had had an advanced lifestyle for

generations?”

A simple search would show it was Germanic unrest, inflation, and a stream of incompetent emperors which were the cause of the fall of the empire.

They had created a political elite, and a ruling class, this created nepotism, and a series of incompetent leaders.

Here are some facts people need to know.

Bill Williams rightly wants to control our borders, 20,000 miles of coast, the 310 miles across Ireland and 96 miles across Scotland.

I wonder if people realise if we leave the EU Scotland may leave the UK; in which case visitors to Scotland may need to show their passport.

And the Ireland border has been “open country” since 1922. Perhaps Boris will build a wall.

We know what will happen staying in the EU, “change” which is what has happened for 50 or so years.

We know other member states want change within.

If we leave, Boris will not suffer hardship, he is in that class of people.

Michael Gove has said people will lose their jobs, that is Joe Public, not Michael Gove. You and I will pay for Boris’ experiment.

One more fact, in Roman Britain no one died of starvation near the Roman Wall.

If you need facts look up eureferendum.gov.uk.

MIKE SPRY

Mayfield Close

Nythe, Swindon

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A path to prosperity

IT IS good news that Justin Tomlinson has come out strongly in support of leaving the EU (June 17).

He says an economic meltdown was predicted if we did not join the euro currency but the prophets of doom were all proved totally wrong.

He also wants a sovereign British Parliament and believes we will prosper if we take back control of our economy and our borders.

The British people must decide which way to go on June 23.

If we take the advice of Justin Tomlinson and leave the EU, it will be an exciting time to see our Parliament at last making the decisions that will chart a path to prosperity and Britain becoming an independent sovereign nation.

TERRY HAYWARD

Burnham Road, Swindon

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Passing the blame

AFTER Brexit, if the predictions of Project Fear are realised and it all goes pear-shaped, who will the Brexiters blame?

Will Farage, Johnson, Gove and other right-wing Tories take the blame themselves or will they pass it on to “the foreigners” and “the scroungers”?

CHRISTOPHER EDDY

Old Town, Swindon

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No clear parking plan

HAVING contacted Swindon Borough Council customer services, and checked on their website, there is still no evidence of how they plan to administer car parking charges at the parks, for visitors, or those who volunteer.

The only thing I have seen is a form for paid employees to apply for a free parking permit.

If anyone from the council actually knows how the parking tickets will be administered, or where volunteers can apply for a permit/pass, please feel free to let all those who use the parks know before the charges come into effect on July 1.

MATHEW KOELZ

Bradenham Road, Swindon