IN OUR everyday lives most people consult experts in various fields and take decisions based on their advice.
Whether that be the doctor concerning our health, a financial advisor concerning a mortgage or a solicitor concerning legal matters.
Of us voters, I would have thought very few are genuine experts on the EU, or international trade, or diplomatic co-operation.
We may have read a few leaflets, done some research on the Internet or been good students at school, but are still some distance short of being considered experts.
So why, when it comes to the EU referendum are some people considering ignoring the experts?
According to press reports the consensus amongst economists, business leaders, trade unions, scientists and even religious leaders is that we would be better off staying in the EU.
Sure, the leave camp put forward some opposing views, but the overwhelming majority in each case support staying in.
If I went and asked ten doctors for a second opinion I’d listen to the nine who agreed on the same course of action, not the one lone voice of disagreement.
If still unsure on a decision we may also ask our friends for their perspective. In this case as well the leaders of our closest allies and trading partners from around the world have recommended that we stay in the EU – America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, France, India, Germany, Italy, China, to name but a few.
Most decisions of state are of course decided by Parliament, and even there a massive majority – across party lines – recommend we stay in. The vast majority of Labour, Liberal Democrat, Green and SNP MPs, as well as over half of Conservative MPs would all vote remain.
If we vote to leave I fear that future generations will judge us harshly.
They will ask why we ignored all the expert advice, why we ignored our allies, why we ignored our leaders and why we ignored Parliament and still went ahead and abandoned 43 years of co-operation with our neighbours.
What will our answer be to them?
AMIR SADEH
Bodorgan Road, Bournemouth
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