UK
Prior to the EU Referendum: the struggle for each voice
Brexit or not? The London suburb of Romford is a stronghold of the opponents of the EU. Up to the end, Leaving opponents try to the citizens to change his mind. Christoph Ricking has observed the last election day.
The election campaign the EU Referendum would be a game of football, would have Mick Hitchin and his Team at an away game. Hitchin and his Team wear blue T-Shirts with the imprint “I’m in”. They have built a small Stand with information material. “Remain” (Remaining), the Slogan of the Pro-EU, is on the flyers, Badges and stickers that you can distribute to passers-by.
Hitchin and his collaborators are on the market in Romford and fight to remain in the UK in the EU. The city in the North-East of London is regarded as a stronghold of the opponents of the EU. This shows a view on the market: Many dealers have signs with the Slogan “Vote Leave” (Selects exit), the Motto of the opponents of the EU, stands suspended.
Fear of immigration
“This is the Euro-skeptical place in the country,” says Hitchin. “As we have made here three months ago for the first Time, the election campaign, we had quite a bit of anxiety,” he admits, and then add: “But I have to say, it runs great. We had good encouragement in the last few months. The people are open, if you listen to the facts and arguments.”
Many sellers in Romford want to the Brexit: you have hung “Vote Leave”signs on their booths
However, on the day before the Referendum it is not going so well for the choice of fighters, the Remain-campaign. An elderly man is terribly upset about the fact that too many migrants come to the UK. Mick Hitchin remains calm, tries to talk friendly with him, but the man is always emotional and is angry.
Too much immigration is the biggest concern of the opponents of the EU, says Hitchin: “This may be a legitimate concern, but I think we can solve such problems better if we are United and cooperate.”
Hard to convince
Craig Rimmer is also a Volunteer of the Remain-campaign and trying to convince a group of older ladies from a great Britain remain in the EU. A dialogue unfolds:
“In one of the EU could rise outlet the retirement age to 69 years,” explains Rimmer.
“I don’t care, I’m retired,” says one of the women.
“But I will not,” replied Rimmer. “And what of your children and grandchildren?”
“The life in Australia, a decent country,” replies the woman.
“Australia is a country of immigration,” says Rimmer.
“Yeah, course, here, it is always full,” says the woman.
“It is, perhaps, geographically larger, but there are also a lot of desert,” says Rimmer.
Finally, all break out in laughter. Rimmer is trying to present to the group a to “Remain”bag, but all reject. After all, he is a couple of flyers. “God bless you,” says the woman, laughing and turns to the bystanders: “He has tried it. He has done a good job. But he has not convinced me. I don’t believe a word of it.”
Optimism in the EU-opponents
Only a few meters away is the Vote Leave campaign has hung their Banner at a construction site. For them, this election schedule is a home game. “As you can see, we distribute far more leaflets than the Remain-campaign,” says Gerald Batten. He sits for the Anti-EU party UKIP in the EU Parliament and optimistic about the Referendum.
“In Romford we will win for sure very high,” he says: “A very high percentage will vote for a Brexit. And I also believe that we can win across the country with a sizable lead. The people have had enough, you want to get out.” Recent surveys Battens evaluation does not confirm, however: they say a head-to-head race.
Gerard Batten (front left) UKIP is confident that The Brexit comes
In Romford, the Team Batten has to do little convincing. It seems to be more so, that choice of the fighters and citizens in your opinion confirm. A woman knocks Batten on the shoulder and shouting “United we stand”. It is not clear that they mean the EU.
Lie-allegations from both sides
Both camps are only a few meters away from each other. At first glance, one is friendly to each other. Discussions there are not. Nevertheless, Batten criticised the “Remain”-campaign: “speak to the fear of the citizens. It could happen to any spooky, it could be a Disaster if we leave. These are all lies.”
Also, the EU advocates accuse the Brexit supporters to spread lies. “This is partially ridiculous,” says Peter Stremes of the Remain-campaign, while he distributed leaflets. “Boris Johnson, for example, has said that the EU would forbid us to buy more than three bananas at a time.” However, this can be still harmless.
“There are a lot of horror stories about mass immigration. It is promised, economically, everything would run better in an outlet.” His comrades-in-arms Rimmer adds: “The Vote Leave-page claims that Turkey will join the EU soon, the EU, and that several million immigrants come to a shock to the country.”
Meanwhile, Mick speaks to Hitchin with a young woman. It is still undecided whether they will vote for or against Brexit. “He has a lot to say, what convinced me absolutely,” she says. “Now I have to run a few errands. Then I listen to the other side. And then I’ll decide.”
For Mick Hitchin, it was a good conversation. Still around ten per cent of the British are undecided. He may have convinced the Waverers.