Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett’s feature on family rifts caused by the Brexit vote is pertinent (‘I can barely look at my parents’, G2, 28 June). The cleavage over the referendum is dramatic enough to impact on all sectors and institutions. But shouldn’t she point out to the friend she quotes, who is “worried Brexit has made [her/him] ageist” and who felt a “sudden, enormous wave of fury towards” an anonymous “older couple” s/he happened to see in the street, that there is indeed every reason to worry? The friend is clearly suffering from a condition that has been greatly aggravated by the referendum. “Ageism” is a bit too mild. A more accurate descriptor would be “geronto-racism”.
The problem lies in the promiscuous use of the word “generation”. For a start, the over-65s make up two distinct generations: baby boomers and those born before or during the war. Second, the article tells us that 39% of them voted remain, as I did. That doesn’t sound like a united “generation” bent on getting us out of Europe regardless of the consequences for younger people. Yet since last Friday, “generation” has been used as if it were a determinism.
This might seem like a minor matter given the economic, social and cultural damage so irresponsibly and predictably caused by leave ideology. But we’re already seeing a shocking surge in xenophobia and racism since the result. Let’s not add to it by indiscriminately boomer-bashing, which is fast becoming a national sport in social media. I’m choosy about which of my contemporaries I get bracketed with.
Professor David Looseley (aged 67¾)
North Cadbury, Somerset
• “I’m worried Brexit has made me ageist,” said a friend of Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett. Me too, and I’m 61 and in despair at the outcome of the referendum. However, while it has been widely reported that 75% of 18- to 24-year-olds voted remain, I’ve heard much less said about the turnout percentage in each age group. MLMS, described as “a non-partisan movement striving towards modern political engagement and evolving relationships between young people and decision-makers”, quotes a figure of 36% turnout for 18 to 24s and 83% for 65-plus.
There is much wrong with our present voting system, and a referendum, in particular, is like using a chainsaw for open-heart surgery when it comes to making decisions on complex issues of huge constitutional importance. But it’s all the electorate was offered, and a vote can’t count if it isn’t made in the first place.
Lydia Duddington
Exeter
• As I read the results, 75% of 18 to 24s voted remain on a 36% turnout, while 40% of those 65-plus voted remain on an 83% turnout. I think that means of those eligible to vote, 33% of those 65-plus voted remain against 27% of 18 to 24s. Don’t blame us.
Michael Chapman
Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
• I’m hoping that one good thing that might emerge from this dreadful referendum is a realisation by the younger generation in this country that politics is important, that it can and does affect lives, and that they can influence it by exercising their democratic right to vote.
I urge those registered but who did not vote in the referendum: promise yourselves you will make the effort to vote in the next general election. For those who hadn’t registered: don’t wait, do it now – we could be having a general election sooner rather than later, and your vote could make all the difference to the outcome.
Linda Wright
Ivybridge, Devon
• Oh dear! I’m 81 and voted remain. Should I get a T-shirt printed with this in case I meet some hostile young people?
Joyce Wildman
Maghull, Merseyside
• Years later, the memories came flooding back. Enoch Powell made his rivers of blood speech in 1968, and caused a major rift with my parents after I wrote to them to say that Powell’s views on race were disgusting. I don’t think they ever forgave me, and I certainly never forgave them for supporting him.
At the age of 68 I voted, without hesitation, to remain in Europe. Many of the older generation are devastated by the effect that this vote will have on our children and grandchildren. It would be wrong to assume that we all voted to leave.
Dr Derek Middlemiss
Newark, Nottinghamshire
• In response to Owen Jones (We cannot submit to Brexit disaster. It’s time to campaign to save our future, 28 June), in the dark hours of the night I’ve had a thought: one positive, non-confrontational thing we remainers can do is adopt the European flag as a quiet symbol of our values. A small enamel lapel badge bearing the flag would tell those we meet from other European countries (or any other country) who may now be feeling insecure and excluded that we welcome them. It would tell others where we stand, without being strident or vocal. If the 16-million-plus of us who voted remain adopted the practice, it would surely send a powerful but peaceful message.
Betsy Everett (baby boomer)
Askrigg, North Yorkshire
• I was grateful for Linda Grant’s article (Don’t blame all the babyboomers, 28 June), as I am 59 and never voted for Thatcher or New Labour, preferring to vote with my heart for admittedly tiny leftwing parties, and remain horrified by both of the former, including their policies on, for example, the NHS, tuition fees, immigration, the Gulf war etc. Last week I voted remain along with all my aged chums.
Something Linda didn’t highlight, and is frequently overlooked, is that poor baby boomers got on to the housing market in the 1960s, 70s and early 80s by buying what was fondly referred to as a “shithole”. This was a very cheap house, usually the then unfashionable terrace, in a poor area, with no bathroom or central heating, an outside loo and 1940s electrics. At that time local authority improvement grants enabled people to rehab such properties over time, as they could afford it. Some later sold at a profit, perhaps when children grew. Thus many of my cohort who left school at 15 overtook me on the property ladder. I couldn’t afford a mortgage in those days of high interest rates (which alarmed everyone) until long after university, by which time jobs in my chosen profession were few and house prices had risen relatively rapidly.
Such grants ceased a long time ago and virtually all housing stock has now been improved beyond that basic level – or demolished. Similar opportunities for getting on the housing ladder are long gone as even contemporary shitholes cost a small fortune. I despair for my young nephews and all young people.
Dr Helen Pearce
Peacehaven, East Sussex
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