EU Referendum 2017 - What will be the dominant issues?

THE MANY problems faced by Britain – whether economic or social – are not going to be solved by screaming and shouting. Thus, the National Liberal Party is not interested in ‘hitting the headlines’ using the tired formula of macho–posturing and gesture politics. These problems will only be overcome by a combination of careful thought and action.

This means that we favour informed and reasoned debate. Here we concentrate on arguments, points of view and facts. We are not interested in personalities, prejudice or promoting self-interest.

The National Liberal Party seeks to build an organisation that encourages free speech and debate. To do this, we also attempt to take into consideration as many views as is possible in open debate. Thus, members and supporters are always encouraged to have their say.

We’re also interested in encouraging people to develop their debating skills. That’s why the NLP has introduced a new series of articles called Have Your Say! Whilst each subject will be announced on this web-site, they’ll be conducted in full on the National Liberals Facebook site, which can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/52739504313/

Before we start this debate we’d like to remind folks of our ground rules:

•  First of all, say what you think – but think what you say.

•  Secondly, just debate the issue(s) raised. There should be no personal attacks.

•  As previously noted, we’re simply not interested in personalities.

•  Please note that we may ask selected members and supporters to play ‘devil’s advocate’. Hopefully, this’ll help sharpen the debating skills of all involved!

•  Finally, it should be remembered that all of the views expressed in Have Your Say! are personal and should not be taken to be the official view of the NLP itself.

Our last debate looked at Britain’s in-out EU referendum due to be held in 2017.  We were particularly interested in the mechanics of the referendum – what form would it take, would there be official ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ camps, what public money would be alloted to them, access to the media and so on.

We also touched on the way vested interests – big business, the financial sector, other EU states and even Washington – could attempt to influence the vote.

At the moment, the NLP has established a Facebook site – EU Referendum: In or out? which can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1691709351061421/ – and is debating its position.  The outcome is vital, for as the site notes of the forthcoming referendum:

“For at least four, probably longer, months it will dominate British politics. The actual vote will be a defining moment in the country’s history.  Any political party worth its name will have a view and is likely to campaign on one side or the other.  The National Liberal Party is using this group to help its ruling National Council decide upon which side of the fence it will fall.”

Once the Facebook debate has been concluded, a future National Liberal debate will look specifically at our attitude to the EU and what alternatives are available to Britain.

However, for this debate our question is simple: EU Referendum 2017 – What will be the dominant issues?

• THIS ARTICLE should be read in conjunction with the following:

A KEY part of the National Liberal Party’s overall strategy is to build the infrastructure of an alternative mass media of news, information and entertainment (1).

To date, the NLP has launched several national, regional and local publications. Some have been e-publications whilst others have been hard copies. These include Liberty & Nation, Caledonian Voice, English Voice, Cuffley, Courier, Kent Voice, the Isle of Wight Voice and St. Andrews Voice.

In time, we aim to add to these publications – indeed, earlier this year Ulster Voice produced its first e-poster (2). We also hope to build a supporting infrastructure around each publication – including supporters and debating groups as well as Social Media sites like Facebook and Twitter. But building such an infrastructure is slow and detailed work.

Another area of support for our publications is the production of regular e-posters. Such e-posters are known as visual sound bites. In this age of the ‘micro-second media’ they represent a very useful way of viralling our message out.

Indeed, earlier this month the Isle of Wight Voice produced another e-poster (3) which noted that the island needed jobs and not cuts. An earlier e-poster (4) campaigned in support of the National Health Service.

With the island in mind, here we reproduce the main article from issue 1 of the Isle of Wight Voice – which was produced way back in April 2012. As far as we’re aware, there’s only been one review (5) of this issue. However, we’d like to hear from anyone who’d be willing to produce another review of it or who’d be able to produce articles for future issues.

Similarly, we want to hear from anyone who can suggest subjects for future IoWV e-posters. To submit your ideas, simply e-mail us natliberal@aol.com or look out for this article on the National Liberals facebook site https://www.facebook.com/groups/52739504313/?fref=nf and have your say in the comments section.

Issue 1 of the Isle of Wight Voice is still available. To get hold of your FREE pdf copy, simple e-mail natliberal@aol.com today!

THE CON-DEM Government needs to do much more to solve the social and economic problems faced by Islanders. And youth unemployment in particular needs to be tackled.

(5) http://nationalliberal.org/review-of-isle-of-wight-voice-issue-1

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