Brexit shambles has turned me from Leave to Remain

Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab delivers a speech on preparations for a no deal Brexit. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/PA Wire. - Credit: PA

I voted Leave at the referendum. I regret it every day.

Boris Johnson and David Davis both have contributed to the Brexit shambles by resigning from government. Photo: PA / Gareth Fuller – Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

I voted for a number of reasons. I did not like the negative Remain messaging of ‘Project Fear’. I did not like what I saw as bullying by Obama (recently found out the incompetent Cameron put him up to it against Obama’s better judgment) and then-rising star Macron.

I felt that because of austerity, something needed a shake up to stop

the disparity between many areas of the UK. I felt money sent to the EU could be better spent on UK’s own stretched services.

I didn’t have a real problem with immigration; my issue was with government investment not keeping up with the increased demand on services, housing and transport, caused by rapid population increase and simultaneous swingeing cuts to funding. I feared the situation would worsen with Turkey on the road to joining the EU.

In retrospect I was completely ignorant of the EU, international trade, the appalling lack of competence within the Conservative cabinet and what was good for the prosperity of the people of the UK.

After the vote I was stunned by the lack of planning. I opened my ears and began to listen to experts and facts over fantasists and prejudice.

Gradually, I began to unpick the myths and fallacies around the lack of sovereignty and democracy within the EU. I learned that May could have introduced deportations for those EU economic migrants that weren’t self-sufficient after three to six months, as the Belgians do. She chose not to.

Project Fear now looks like Project Fact. I did not vote for ‘adequate food’. I now know that rather than ending austerity, leaving will mean far less money for services.

What do I do now? Sign petitions and promote Remain opinion on social media.

If we have a #PeoplesVote I will vote Remain and encourage every person I know to do the same. If there is a general election in 2018 I will only vote for a Remain Party.

Nigel Mortimer

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