3rd June 2016 as I reflect on Michael Gove intervention for Leave, and the spoof proposal with blank pages from the Remain campaign following HM Treasury 200 pager, I conclude that space left empty by both protagonists. This blog seeks to explore that open untouched space which the UK Referendum on EU membership has thrown into the mix.

“The British Electorate risk having no material on which to make a decision in the coming Referendum on EU membership 23 June 2016. The level of information provision and commentary by media, politicians et al is focused on the primitive emotion induced by uncertainty.  If Yes, the No’es highlight concerns, and then the Yes’es respond to say why the No’es have missed the point.  Confusingly there is a parallel dialogue initiated by the No’es, to which Yes’es highlight concerns and No’es rebuff.  This double dialogue seeks to keep both the Yes and No campaigns high on their hills, as the rhetoric escalates and real information transmission declines.

Unlike in a traditional war between two armies, neither the Yes nor the No campaign will secure complete victory.  Whatever the result on 23 June 2016, the counter-arguments will still exist. If Yes, and UK stays in EU, those concerned by that (previously of the ‘No’ campaign) will keep resisting the situation they find themselves in.  The EU and UK won’t get better because of a lack of focus on making membership work.  If No, and the UK leaves the EU, those concerned by that (previously of the ‘Yes’ campaign), will forever feel uncomfortable at not being part of the EU.  The UK will fail to get better because of too much focus on managing perceived losses from being outside EU.

What’s missing from all the dialogue and information throwing, is anything about the biggest project which groups of humans could focus on.  “How do we collectively get on with each other?”  We’re very good at discovering how we don’t, can’t or won’t get on with each other.  The European project grew from 5 countries to now 28 countries, learning how to get on with each other.  There are 186 countries in the world.  So really the Europe project, which is only 40 years old, is a start on the bigger project of all countries in the world learning to get on with each other.  This is the project that needs to be put foremost in our minds, for our generation and our children’s generation, and so on into the future.  When we have built and communicated THAT project across the world, for all people’s to engage with, THEN we can look at what keeps us apart; money and differences.

So it’s worth thinking about what your vote [if you’re in the UK] will do for the bigger global project of collaboration.  If you’re not a UK voter, then maybe you wish the vote to go a certain way; and still ask yourself why you believe that.  If you’re interested in the outcome of the greatest human project, one which reaches far beyond Europe and into every corner of the world, then your thoughts and actions are important.  How important do you think it is that we are working together as a common species for the good of all, curious to learn how differences and money can bring us together in resonant abundant harmony?