I awoke on Friday and realised my nightmare was a reality. Scotland, Ireland, London and a few other places including West Berkshire, where we live, had voted to Remain in the EU but the national result was for 'Brexit'.
The scenario many people on the Remain side had predicted had been labelled 'Project Fear' but now it is 'Project Reality'. Markets are tumbling, David Cameron has offered his resignation and Nicola Sturgeon is preparing for a second referendum on Scottish Independence.
Right wing Politicians in France and Holland have begun crying out for their own referendums.
The 'United Kingdon' and the European Union itself is beginning to fall apart.
I campaigned for Remain and was shocked to discover how angry people are. They are fed up with not being able to get appointments with GPs, not being able to get school places and a shortage of housing. Leave's effective but meaning less slogan 'take back control' seduced them. But it was and is a lie.
People feel ignored by Westminster politicians, exploited by big employers and badly let down. The real problem is that government funding has not met the demands of the increased population. Our public services have been squeezed by Tory policies. Now the right wing of the government will be in charge and I fear what Leave voters wished for will not come true. On the contrary 'decent people' as Nigel Farage calls them will be even more ignored and the big corporations who run the world will continue to avoid tax and award themselves big bonuses.
What does not help matters is that our two major political parties are in disarray and fighting amongst themselves. Meanwhile, having pretty much sacrificed themselves for economic stability in 2010, the Liberal Democrats were nearly wiped out at the last election. Now we are the only party which is united and tolerant.
I am asking all those who supported us and voted Remain to consider joining the Liberal Democrats and helping us locally and nationally.
This referendum result will affect us all for the rest of our lives so let's come together to build an effective opposition.
Contact details are as follows
https://libdems.secure.force.com/LiberalDemocrats/NewMemberRegistration
