Sunday 8 May 2016

I genuinely am frightened at leaving EU

 - but not by the economic arguments. They are real, but somewhat exaggerated and will not affect those of my generation personally since all governments are going to want to keep pensioners - who vote - onside. There will be "silent firings" as investment will move to continental Europe or offshore. But there will be a steady decline in our industrial economy followed by financial services, not a sudden collapse.

No, what I am fearful of is the threat to the livelihoods and well-being of ordinary working people. No longer bound by the EU's social chapter, this Tory government would tear up the protective legislation so that workers could be sacked for no reason or forced to work uncivilised hours. You won't hear these arguments from Conservative ministers, but reactionary back-benchers and commentators mutter about getting rid of the burden of health and safety legislation once we are outside the EU.

After that goes data protection and civil rights.

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