The in / out day

by Leyla [Thisdayilove] - 15:44

At 4 am on Friday 24th July Little Man awoke for his feed, the TV was on as I had fallen asleep watching the start of the results filter in. Only now the results had come through and we were out, I admit I cried in disbelief. I held Little Man close and apologised for the uncertainty his future would now hold. I then watched in horror as the pound began to fall, along with the financial markets.

A few days on and I am still in shock. I am not angry or upset with those that voted out, this is a democracy and we all have our reasons and thoughts behind what is best for us and our family. I am still good friends with those who voted differently to me and nothing will change this, but right now I am in shock.

I guess there are two things that have struck me most, following the referendum. The first is that a referendum is consultative only and is not binding on Parliament. It gives an indication of what is wanted. Which lends the question do we really have to leave? because the other thing is this is permanent, it is not like we can change our minds and vote again if it does not work as with other issues.

This is a permanent decision that will impact our children, their children and generations to come. It is going to take time to sort out the ramifications of this result, and whilst we do this we live in an uncertainty. This is my second point, time. Had the majority of voters been of the generations that this would have the greatest impact on, I would be angry over the weekend and move on by Monday. The main issue for me is it does not. The majority of those that voted to leave, according to YouGov, were over 65.

Here for me lies the issue. Leaving the EU is a permanent decision and one which impacts not only now but future generations. Yet those who are going to feel it the most, those who will become of a working age when this becomes reality and those who are going to support the pensions and funds of the older generation wanted to remain. Surely this part of the referendum also needs listening to? A referendum is to give an indication of what is wanted, and for the generation who are going to live with this result the longest they are saying they want to remain.

As I said before had the majority of the leave votes come from the generation who it will have the greatest impact on then fine lets work together to make this work. The fact that out of all the age generations the only one with a majority to Leave is the over 65+, the figures do not show the non voters which take up a percentage, perhaps shows that this decision cannot be made by the results of the referendum alone? Instead it needs a different analysis and more thought, one which looks at the results of those who it will have the greatest impact upon. It is after all a referendum, and is done to give an indication of what is wanted in order to aid the decision making process.

Whatever happens next I hope that the direction the country takes builds a platform that is just as strong, if not stronger than before. Regardless of the next steps this country is now on a new path and I just hope this path is shown to be the right one, even though it might never be as good as we had it. I hope the fears of the remain party are shown to be wrong and the promises of the leave party can be turned into a bright future for the next generation. I hope the voices of the young are listened to because it is them that are going to feel this the most.