July 18

My definition of my job on this trip is: to ask, to listen and to learn – and not to judge. But if I’m honest with myself – I can turn the judging down but not off. Our whole adult lives we are trained to ask, listen, think, weigh up options, evaluate and ultimately make judgments. So as you read this, try not to ask ‘What does Ed think? Is Ed trying to persuade me one way or the other?’ Just try to hear what the people I spoke with think. Assume that they are good people who want the best for their family, friends and country. Assume that they are no less well-intentioned than you and no less educated or informed. Let self-doubt seep into your mind. What if they are right and you are wrong?

Have you ever watched the TV show “Goggle Box”? What blows me away with this show is how every family from every background can see through TV and marketing tricks and come to the same conclusions. A piece of branded content produced a TV show called “Life on a cruise ship”. ‘This is basically one long ad’, cries one family after another; and so it is with most issues – behind a veneer of rough accents lie some very thoughtful and clear views on the future of the UK and its place in the world.

We spoke to a guy today; strong build, ruddy face, missing a few teeth and looked like he’d be great in a fight. He’d had a couple drinks and had such a thick accent I could hardly understand him. He was unemployed and had recently badly injured a finger with a saw, as he’s re-training to be a carpenter. I was taken aback by the clarity of his position.

The EU has been great for the Germans – the Euro has given them a currency weaker than their own would be, so they can sell more of their stuff. Then countries like Greece get into debt by using money borrowed from the Germans to buy all the German stuff. Angela Merkel now wants to run the whole show. No thank you.

Germany thinks politicians tricked the UK into voting “out”. No-one I’ve spoken to has buyer’s remorse. That was made up in London by people that didn’t want to leave in the first place. The people I’ve spoken to up here, and tourists from places like Kent, don’t regret their decision. They, like everyone else, are a little anxious about what the future holds, but they want a future of self-determination and they are clear that the path away from a centralist European government, even if this comes at some economic cost, is the right path.

So here are their arguments.

The EU has 4 pillars; which Angela Merkel says are inextricable: free movement of people, goods, services and capital.

The “vote out” people say, we are a more affluent and safer place to live than many EU countries and we don’t want free movement of people because there is too much EU immigration (don’t judge, just listen).

The EU common market is great, but it’s now becoming too political and we’re moving toward a United States of Europe. We don’t want this. We want political independence and self-determination.

We understand there may be an economic cost to this. We don’t think much will change, but if there is a cost we’re ok with that.

Immigration rates play a role for many people. They feel there has been too much immigration too fast from former Eastern Bloc countries. I don’t feel any hate or xenophobia – just genuine concern that the education, healthcare and housing infrastructure can’t cope with the rate of immigration. Also they fear that – coupled with Syrian refugees and the possibility of Turkey entering the EU at some point – things like the NHS will buckle and collapse under the weight of demand for services.

The “vote in” people are saying immigration has nothing to do with the EU, that this can be controlled separately and that the issues shouldn’t be linked. They are saying that we are stronger economically in the EU.

What’s interesting to me is that neither side really believes much will change in their day-to-day lives, either way.

So now the judgement – what do I think?

I would have liked the UK to stay in the EU. I’d prefer not to have this period of uncertainty and I think the economic benefits for families and kids growing up today are important for their future employment prospects.

But I think the immigration debate is important and I don’t see why it’s wrong for people to have different views on how much immigration is the right amount.

I also understand why some people find the gradual creep toward a centralist European government, made up of people that aren’t voted in and can’t be voted out, unattractive.

So here we are. Isn’t democracy wonderful? The people have spoken.

But “remain in” voters – especially from London: even though you are put out, don’t underestimate the thoughtfulness, good intent or intellect of those who voted “out”, just because Nigel Farage and others you find unattractive were the face of the “out” campaign.