Referendum’s aftermath
In the wake of Britain’s vote to withdraw from the European Union, it may be worth noting that the EU is the result of a realisation that all Europeans – English, French, German, Italian – for all their history of bloody conflicts, are members of what Welsh writer Jan Morris calls “a spectral commonwealth”, and economic integration of European states is seen as a way for peaceful European political union to do what Roman legions, Napoleon’s Grand Army and Hitler’s Panzers had failed to achieve by force (1 July).
This was in the minds of the German and French leaders when they decided to initiate cooperation among two former enemies, triggering a process culminating in a broad integration of all major European countries. The EU brought stability and prosperity in Europe, as evident by continuous peace since the second world war. Without the EU, it is difficult to see how conflicts among the Germans, the French and the British could have been avoided.
The British vote to withdraw from the EU, stemming from fears about immigration and loss of sovereignty, might reverse the process of integration. Already, rightwing political parties in France and Germany are clamouring for a return to the bad old days. Germans are worried about large numbers of refugees seeking asylum. France is worried about its high North African immigrant population. Like England, both Germany and France are concerned about losing control of their borders.
A British withdrawal from the EU might inspire other countries to do the same, leading to a return of European tribalism and the bloody conflicts associated with it.
Mahmood Elahi
Ottawa, Canada
• I’d like to apologise to mainland Europeans, and indeed to the rest of the world, for the disruption that the UK is causing by voting to leave the EU. I feel privileged to have been a citizen of both the UK and the EU for all my working life, and am devastated by the choice that our electorate has made.
It feels like I am losing part of my family: that from now on I can regard my husband and children as family, but not my sisters, nephews and cousins. As Republican Donald Trump has noted, the UK will gain “independence”, but it’s the sort of independence that a rock climber achieves by deciding to disconnect the rope system and go it alone – freedom from group decisions, but with enormous risk.
One of the saddest aspects of the referendum outcome relates to the age difference in voting patterns. An estimated 75% of under-25-year-old voters wanted to remain, compared with less than 40% of over-65s. It’s ironic that by the time the exit terms have been negotiated, it could well be that voters who chose to remain in the EU will be in the majority.
Anne Wheldon
Reading, UK
• The state in which I live – North Carolina – was once considered the liberal bastion of the south, but has acquired a reputation across the US for its anti-progressive and anti-liberal government. I recently heard that some people living close to the state border had erected a large placard in the front yard of their house, visible to motorists entering the state. It read “Welcome to North Carolina, please remember to put your clocks back 150 years”.
In my despair about the result of the EU referendum, I dream of seeing a similar “welcome” raised at some principal entry point to the UK. Perhaps at the entrance to the tunnel you have to drive through to leave Heathrow Airport? Graffiti artists, please take note.
Michael Morice
Weaverville, North Carolina, US
• Brexit may not be the worst disaster to have befallen the British but it may be the worst self-inflicted one. We Americans, however, just might outdo you on 8 November.
John G Maher
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, US
• Only general good will come of the British deciding to stand again on their legs. It isn’t as if we’ve never done so before. Character is called for. Something somewhat out of fashion nowadays, or so it appears.
Ron Willis
Perth, Western Australia
• As overseas voters, well into our 70s, we are appalled at the EU result. We managed to vote remain by proxy and are deeply ashamed of fellow pensioners who have given no thought to the future of their children and grandchildren. As Monty Python might have said “what has the EU ever done for us” – apart from peace in Europe, prosperity, education, freedom ...
Patricia O’Brien
Rozelle, NSW, Australia
• Ask a silly question …
Simon Coates
Brussels, Belgium
• Sad, sad, sad.
Marjorie Menzel
Aachen, Germany
That country no longer exists
Your article on the murder of Jo Cox followed by the referendum vote have created for me and many people an abrupt change in perception of England (24 June). I have always thought of myself as British, even after many years living in other countries. I liked the understated sense of superiority of the British that foreigners find so irritating. Compared with their continental neighbours, although they managed their affairs in a haphazard fashion, the Brits were level-headed and tolerant; loyal to their friends; slow to anger; tough enemies.
Since last Friday I realise that my love was for a country that no longer exists. I think perhaps the warning signs were flashing some years ago when two old Etonians vied as leaders. The work of these elitists has now led to the probable breakup of the United Kingdom, with Scotland staying in Europe and Northern Ireland maybe reaching some sort of condominium agreement with the Republic.
Good luck to them both. I used to call myself British-Canadian; from last week I am Canadian – a citizen of a tolerant and kind country whose values I share. I have to admit also that I like its air of casual superiority, which so irritates our southern neighbour.
Robert Horn
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
• I remain overwhelmed by Jo Cox’s selfless and brave dedication to her people. And by pensioner Bernard Kenny’s response [he intervened to try and save her] amid the mayhem. I doubt our congressman would venture into our neighbourhood on foot, nor would he be recognised were he to.
R M Fransson
Wheat Ridge, Colorado, US
Sanders-Corbyn connection
I was delighted to see Dan Roberts’s piece The unlikely revolutionary (24 June) given such prominence. The depth of discussion is justified given the importance of Bernie Sanders’ political and ideological achievement. That you decided to give the story so much space suggests that you believe his campaign message was an important one: that the existing political and economic system is not only unjust to the vast majority of ordinary workers, but is systemically weighted against them in favour of a small, privileged oligarchy.
The Guardian’s journalists – with principled exceptions – have dismissed Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn as yesterday’s man and irrelevant because of his determination to hold to his socialist principles, yet these are principles very similar to those of Sanders. I can only conclude that the Guardian will need some swift rethinking to reconcile its apparently contradictory stances.
Warwick Armstrong
Oxford, UK
Briefly
• Regarding the 350 metric tonnes of cigarette butts that Paris city hall employees sweep up annually (24 June), a novel approach is being proposed here: add butts to the list of items that can be recycled. Judging by the number of people searching road verges for discarded cans and bottles, it sounds like a sure bet.
Anthony Walter
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
• Memorising poetry is an art of the heart (17 June) truly describes Nadezhda Mandelstam, who memorised all the poetry of her husband, Osip, whose work was destroyed when he was sent to die in the gulag during Stalin’s Reign of Terror. The treasures of poetry, music, drama lost to the world in that time of intimidation, torture and killing will never be known, but Osip Mandelstam’s poems survived – in the head of his wife.
Elizabeth Quance
Westmount, Quebec, Canada
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