I’ve indicated a number of times that I do a bit of leaflet delivery and canvassing. It’s good exercise, in the fresh air, and I get to meet some interesting people and occasionally, I fix their problems.
/1
Yesterday was such a day. As often happens, I met a couple of Leavers. I always try to be polite, to ask them questions so that I can understand their views. Not always easy; and the two yesterday were typical of many.
/2
The first one seemed to be in middle to late 60s. Almost immediately I introduced myself, he stated “I want the hardest Brexit possible”. When I asked what he meant his response was “I don’t want us to have anything to do with the tin-pot dictators of the EU”.
/3
When I started to suggest that we might need to trade with them, he interrupted “NO. No trade. They’re evil and we must have nothing to do with them; nothing at all.”
/4
At this point, he was almost shouting. I couldn’t help myself; I had to press him further on why he was so adamant. His response was “you know full well why”. (Uh, no I don’t, that’s why I’m asking. I’m trying to understand your point of view)
/5
He then made the statement “The EU has ruined my life”. A bit of a bold statement, so I tried to ask in what way. He responded with “The EU has prevented me doing what I want”.
/6
A bit baffled by this, I tried to find out in what way. He then shouted “Do your own research, you’ll find out for yourself how evil they are”. He then slammed the door shut.
/7
I think that I should highlight, the guy lived in an expensive 3 bed detached bungalow, with an immaculately kept garden. A nice car in the drive, he appeared to be in full health; no sign that he was suffering or “ruined” in any way shape or form.
/8
Bizarre, but not entirely unusual, I went to the next house marked for calling. Talking to the occupant, he said that he had overheard the conversation; and made a few comments about the guy “being a bit of an arse”.
/9
According to the neighbour, they guy’s wife left him after the last of their children left home, as she realised that they had nothing in common. He now gets upset when people have barbecues, or play music that he can hear!
/10
The second Leaver was about 30 mins later. He also wanted “a hard Brexit”. When I pressed him on the effect that would have on jobs, his response (laced with profanities) was that I “didn’t know what I was talking about”.
/11
As it happens, I’ve worked for several firms that trade with countries throughout the EU; and one in particular would have to close down with the loss of about 300 jobs if they couldn’t trade. His response was that we should “make and sell more things in England”.
/ 12
I didn’t disagree that it would be a good idea to make more things, but pointed out a market of 550 million is far better than one of 66 million; especially when it’s specialised products that many people won’t want.
/13
His immediate response was “Project fear, project fear, project fear”. He then went on to say, “England can support itself internally without any bloody foreigners”. I gently pointed out that he was ignoring Northern Ireland and Scotland.
/14
His response; “F*** Northern Ireland and f*** the Scots – we’ve given them too much money, they should be made to suffer on their own, teach them a lesson”. I left it there; no point in trying to discuss anything with him.
/15
Next door were a really nice young couple. Told me that the guy was a real pain in the neck; shouted at kids playing that got “too close” to his property or got upset at people parking on the street near his house.
/16
These were more extreme examples of the conversations that I’ve had with some leavers. But they always seem to be really angry people, but often with no apparent reason why. The visceral hatred emanating from these two leavers was particularly obvious.
/17
As for their views; all I can see is that they seem to be straight out of the pages of the right wing tabloid and broadsheet press. No justification, no explanation, just repetition of the same anti-EU rhetoric.
/18
It’s not going to stop me canvassing; the majority of people I meet are really nice, and it’s great to talk with them, maybe try and help.

Just thought you might find this experience interesting.

/end
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