What a shock. The UK is leaving the EU. We've been up all night. Some decisions are just too important to sleep through. Sophie and 'The Font' sit in the orchard for a cup of coffee and a bowl of water while digesting the unexpected news. Bob and Angus head off down the ridge. Barely six and the combine harvesters are already hard at work. Clouds of chaff rising from the fields as they harvest away.
The fields at the far end of the lane already harvested. The straw tightly baled. Bob loves christening the hay bales . We take a five minute detour through the field on our way home.
At the crossroads no less than seven new calves have arrived in the night. Mothers sleep, guarding aunts glare . We pass by quickly. Bob knows better than to stare. Humans have their worries and concerns but could there be a more beautiful day to enter the world ?
We have been wondering all day here in British Columbia what would happen. We really felt that this would fail, that dollars and cents as we say here would rule. A question was posted yesterday what this decision means in terms of expats in the EU. Could you enlighten us. Cheers Angus and our best to the Fontt, tickles for the dynamic duo!
ReplyDeleteThis was a vote against the British elite. The 'educated', professionals, academics, politicians and the affluent were all for staying. Those who lost out to globalization, the white van man, took a different view. They took the view they had nothing to lose by quitting the EU. Politicians had better be aware that nationalism is alive and well.
DeleteThe EU thought it had banished these old passions. They were wrong. This isn't just a British protest vote. Most EU countries ,if the citizens were allowed a vote, would have a similar result . Americans will of course will recognize parallels in the person of Donald Trump whose strategy is to attack both the Democratic and Republican leadership and the elite who have contempt for the nationalism and moral principles of those beneath them. This process is happening throughout the West. It is a surprise that it came to London yesterday.
This was a vote against the British elite. The 'educated', professionals, academics, politicians and the affluent were all for staying. Those who lost out to globalization, the white van man, took a different view. They took the view they had nothing to lose by quitting the EU. Politicians had better be aware that nationalism is alive and well.
DeleteThe EU thought it had banished these old passions. They were wrong. This isn't just a British protest vote. Most EU countries ,if the citizens were allowed a vote, would have a similar result . Americans will of course will recognize parallels in the person of Donald Trump whose strategy is to attack both the Democratic and Republican leadership and the elite who have contempt for the nationalism and moral principles of those beneath them. This process is happening throughout the West. It is a surprise that it came to London yesterday.
The white van man is going to take the worst hit when the economy really goes down the tubes; the affluent have more cushion and the rich have their money hidden offshore in Panamanian-devised shell companies.
DeleteThe vote is going to hurt Europe, too.
Let's hope the U.S. doesn't follow suit on stupidity. With the gerrymandering by Republicans, it's completely possible that he could lose the popular vote but win the election, like Bush did.
Have been up, reading the results. The financial markets are not amused, and I'm afraid this is not good for a great many people and institutions. Badword.
ReplyDeleteExtra ear scritches for the PONs. And perhaps for Angus and "The Font" as well.
Saddened at this news. And a bit disheartened. Strange days.
ReplyDeleteDisaster... :0(((
ReplyDeleteAs an expat, I too, am saddened (disgusted might be a better word) by the news, and think that it is a vote my fellow countrymen may come to bitterly regret. Having been out of the UK for more than fifteen years, we were not even entitled to vote - which says it all in terms of British "democracy", and exactly how useless holding a British passport is. As a "money man" Angus, I'm sure, will be able to give us a better perspective on things.
ReplyDeleteHaving just read the voting figures in more detail. If the 2 million plus expats around the world who were denied the vote, had been able to do so - the "remains" would have won.
DeleteWoke today in Aberdeen to two rare thunderstorms. One literal, echoing around outside my window, and one metaphorical, emanating from the news on BBC Radio 4. Not a good day. Interesting point for Nicola Sturgeon - several former strongly pro-unionist friends here in Scotland have said over the past few weeks that if the UK voted to leave the EU then they'd consider voting in favour of an independent Scotland…We live in 'interesting times'...
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
We had winds and thunder and lightening too. Very biblical. However, the new day is bright and sunny and calm. Can't help but feel that the Scots, if they see a Billy Bunter buffoon as Prime Minister, will say enough is enough.
DeleteHearing of this news, in the wee hours of the morning, wishing it was just a bad dream.
ReplyDeleteWill you have to apply for a Visa now?
ReplyDeleteEventually. Just like being Swiss or Norwegian.
DeleteA decision I suspect those 'the least well off' may have cause to regret in a year or two. ? Looks a lot like turkeys voting for Thanksgiving from our side of the world...
ReplyDeleteMy worry is what happens when the voters realize that the Brexiteers have lied to them on jobs, the economy and immigration. A peoples anger can take strange turns.
DeleteToo late by then! Isn't it?
DeleteCan Kitty and I move in with you?
ReplyDeleteThe view from the southern tip of Africa is that the buffoons (nice word Angus) have found a fan club and those fans are armed with pencils in the ballot box! I fear they will soon find that voting to leave will indeed leave them bereft.
ReplyDeleteAlmost impossible to believe. Very unsettling .
ReplyDeleteJust stunned by this. On my walk from St Pancras this morning its all everyone was talking about
ReplyDeleteAny world in which Nigel Farage is right has got to be a frightening one.
Although, now he's got what he wants shouldn't he just disappear?
The vote was followed very closely here as well -- I'm just getting going this morning, and turned on the news to see if the vote had changed since late last evening. I see that it did not, and the world markets are in freefall. Donald Trump, who is in Scotland, was "in favor" of the vote, which should have said something.
ReplyDeleteOops! He managed to congratulate the Scots on their overwhelming vote to leave the EU and the palpable sense of freedom that he saw coursing through the land. He seemed to be unaware that two thirds of Scots ( and Londoners ) had voted to remain in the EU.
DeleteGod save us.
DeleteAnd he was pleased that the pound has droppedm making it better for his properties. Kind of like his take on the housing bubble in the US being good for him because he could make more money. Indeed God save us!!!
DeleteOops is right, Angus! I watched "live" the news conference with Donald Trump in Scotland, and saw the gaff he made. The news show I was watching cut away from the coverage when it became a rambling promotion and sales pitch of the gold course and its facilities.
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ReplyDeleteWe are stunned and saddened by the news.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thinking Angus - we started the NZ day with the remains in favour - so it was a shock to hear the evening news announcing its reversal. The world is going to hell in a hand basket.
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