"I was asked, so I clicked and joined. Easy! I'm suddenly part of something momentous which I hope will change the future for Britain.

It’s another small milestone on the journey I am making with thousands of fellow UK citizens. I had to join really. Ever since the ‘shoot-ourselves-in-the-foot’, referendum, I have been in a kind of stasis. I call it this because I don’t want to call it depression, but there has been ‘grief’, pure and simple.

I confess to a centrist bias in my politics, but this is partly about ethics and I’m relieved to see other political persuasions sharing the awareness that we need to remain a part of something that unites us after centuries of war and conflict. That gives hope. This is such an opportunity for people of differing political views to talk and work together in a way that has perhaps, previously been unparalled in our nation’s political life. There is suddenly an amazing UK unity under a strongly shared concept of what being part of Europe really means. That is a high value attainment for such a large number of people. It’s a singular and precious gem. Perhaps even a miracle! May it continue even after we win the battle against our isolation.

Joining what seems a very positive movement is the least I can do. I am not well enough to go on marches, though I so wanted to go on the 20th October. Instead, I  spent nearly an hour sending Reiki energy to any marcher willing to accept it. In this way, I was there in spirit and oh, what spirit there was! Fantastic!  Watching TV, I have to say the energy and contributions of those organisers and marchers was amazing, and with European Movement more than just inching us forward, it was awesome. I am so grateful that there are so many very well informed and intellectually able people fighting for the survival of this country. - I had a great history teacher, (long ago), and also used to take part in some grass roots activities! More recently, the fatigue of chronic unwellness has given me opportunities to meditate and think intuitively about Britain’s political situation. I ‘see’ huge suffering, poverty and violence if Brexit goes ahead, although I also see many good, ordinary folks trying to mitigate that suffering.

I remember some things of how it was when Britain was not a member of the EU; the hassle of getting a permit to go as an au pair in France, but later, the joy of French and other tasty cheeses coming on to the British market. People were rapidly changing their tastes and aspirations. It was like we were a people trying to get on to some mysterious upturned but inviting channel ferry. When we finally joined the EU, that boat finally came the right way up and we had access to so much more. Two of my sons took part in research in Europe and I hate to think of how this current generation could be deprived of that opportunity to interact and co-operate with other scientists. It seems that our ‘Being in Europe’ is as much about ‘The Mind of Europe’, as it is about a geographical place to be explored, or, traded with. 

Leaving would be more than shooting ourselves in the foot. It would be amputation and loss of mobility. We would also lose our national voice there while still being unable to make our own decisions at home, because we will be watching the death throes of our National Health Service.

I see there is a chance for Britain to survive. I gratefully take that chance as a member of the European Movement."

Jo Huckvale
Oxfordshire

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