How do I do it?
How do I say sorry to my two year old grand-daughter about what happened today?
I could tell her that this may be a new and interesting world that she will live in – but I don’t believe that.
I could tell her that not much will change and that the UK she lives in now will look pretty much the same twenty years down the line – but I don’t believe that.
I could tell her that there were good and sensible reasons for leaving the EU and that most people were not mislead by false and spurious stories about immigration and migrants – but I only partly believe that*
I could tell her that she will still be able to move across Europe and the world and that jumping through hoops to obtain a travel visa is just a formality – but I don’t believe that.
I could tell her that she will still grow up in a United Kingdom – but I most definitely don’t believe that.
I could tell her that the NHS/Welfare State/Workers and Human Rights are safe, will still be in place when she’s older and be able to benefit from them – but I don’t believe that.
I could tell her that when she grows up and wants to become a successful business woman, that the world’s markets will still be fully open to her – but I don’t believe that.
I could tell her that politicians, on the whole, work for the good of the people and country and are not led by dog-whistle politics – but I don’t believe that.
I could tell her that the media, both print and online, will give us the full facts without reflecting the bubble they and their readers have created for themselves – but I don’t believe that.
I could tell her that democracy works – I believe that; but not always in our best interests.
I can tell her that my generation have royally fucked her chances of living and working in a modern world. That she will find it harder to be a more global, culturally aware and fully informed human being. That she will grow up in a country where opportunities will pass her by. That I can tell her – and I don’t think saying sorry is going to be good enough.
*Good cases for leaving the EU were put across, but were lost in the slanging matches by both sides and the vicious name-calling that got up the backs of most Brexiteers.
