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Crikey, this is all so embarrassing now. How do we explain this election campaign to the grandchildren (here now or coming in the future) At least I have enough stuff in print to defend myself. I fought against leaving the EU. I fought for your future. I am ashamed that in 2016 your future and the future of your homeland was denied you. I hope to God that there is a miracle and the referendum result is overturned. We have enough problems in the UK, yet we should all be very proud of our diverse, interesting, multi cultural, forward thinking, empathic, sympathetic mix of people who ARE the UK today. Delete 25 Recommend Reply

This election is unique. This is not a vote for the future of your country as you know it but a vote for an unknown little island. 48% of the population voted to improve and help our great nation, 52% has sent it on a five mile walk off a four mile pier. Thanks for that. Delete 36 Recommend Reply

Hmm, interesting but it's not all about policies is it? What about personalities?   Mrs May with her insistence on using 'I' instead of 'we' (the Conservative Party) is grating on my nerves. Who does she think she is for heaven's sake, and her 'unsure' and'hurt' face in interviews isn't doing her any favours.  She began the election campaign with quite a high opinion of herself and almost scoffs at the very idea of Jeremy Corbyn even being allowed to scrape the dirt from her kitten heel. This attitude makes me feel uneasy. I am concerned that she will take her somewhat 'holier than thou' attitude into the Brexit negotiations, well, I say negotiations but there again Mrs May's seems to be drawing up the battle lines and if the first battle isn't won decisively  is she going to flounce away, hurt face, unsure face,  leaving us all with no deal at the first hurdle? Neither strong nor stable.  As...

I think that there will be a low turn out of voters on June 8th. There has been so much confusion about what 'Brexit' actually means since the referendum. A lot of people used their vote on that historic day to vent their feelings, upset and anger concerning their personal situations. To find themselves now confronted with the loss of free school meals for their children, (Parents targeted) or to worry about the older generation and their social care (Parents and adult children targeted) Older relatives who have chosen to live abroad and their rights after Brexit (Those people themselves and their families targeted) What do we have on the table? A Prime Minister who describes her attitude as 'strong and stable'  and who means 'Brexit Means Brexit' without telling any of us what Brexit actually does mean (does she know herself I wonder) A woman who does not inspire confidence when interviewed and who refuses live television debates. A ...

A 'Pushing the Pensioner Down the Stairs Policy' wasn't really a good idea. Nor, ' The Paracetamol Policy for  the Spouses of the Demented.' Nor, ' You're Dead, Give Us Your Dough Policy.' My dad has instructed me to shoot him. put him in a wheelbarrow and toss him onto the compost heap.  (That's true and not an analogy)

'The single thread is the widespread acceptance in the country of Brexit' Really? Following a massive protest vote based on particular and personal issues , the majority of people seem to be now displaying an attitude of insouciance. 'The country has moved on'  Stagnated more like. 'Such energy would be better directed towards national renewal'  What energy?  'Scope to rethink our state and our constitution in the next decade, along with agriculture and the countryside, universities, technology, financial services and regulation'  Meaning let's undo everything we have done, strip ourselves bare, abandon our markets and start all over again. Brilliant! Delete 11 Recommend Reply

 There is an awful lot of reluctance to take Brexit forward, at least 48% of the population voted against it for starters. Since the referendum last June the state of worldwide politics has shifted dramatically. Who would have thought Donald Trump would be President of the US? Who would have envisaged the young Macron to be French President? The biggest problem with the referendum was that it did not take into account time, flexibility and change which are essential elements of our lives.  To pick one day in June 2016 to decide the future of our ship, as if it were stuck on a sandbank was reckless and foolish. The ship could be towed inshore but is set on a course toward turbulent, uncharted waters into unknown territory. Utter madness. Delete 53 Recommend Reply

Hmm, the Big Brexit Poker Game has begun already and Little Britain hasn't even shuffled her cards.  Be afraid. The argument over cash will seem like a drop in the ocean compared to the forthcoming 'discussions' concerning agriculture and fisheries, tariffs, technology, regulation, universities, citizenship, ex-pats,Northern Ireland, Gibraltar and... well I was going to say the financial services but they will be off to France. Has Mrs May even got a poker face? Je ne pense pas. Delete 12 Recommend Reply

I think Mrs May feels she should deal with 'Brexit' as that is the plan on the table. She can probably be shrewd, analytical and precise in her dealings with the EU and by being astute and clever she probably imagines she is on the right road. However, she could do with a liberal dose of realism, warmth, empathy , wit and objectivity in her dealings with the EU. The problem is, for me anyway, is that if the Remain vote had prevailed she would be taking her same attitudes to placate the Brexiteers. I find her to be disingenuous.  And somewhat dangerous.  If Hammond disagrees with her will it be 'off with his head' ? Mrs May might benefit from realising that although logical thinking is a good thing, a healthy dose of realism does not go amiss.

 Democracy in Great Britain means voting for a political party who make political decisions on the current issues facing a government.  Compare Brexit to : Gibraltar is a right pain in the arse, shall we give it back to the Spanish? Yes/ No Or, The Falklands are a pain in the arse, shall we give them back to Argentina? Yes/No. Are these questions worthy of a straightforward yes/no?   Was the EU Referendum really fair??? Dele Reply

I am not actually bitter about Brexit but I am bewildered. I really cannot see the benefits of leaving the EU. If the fishermen think they will be able to claim our fish, then maybe they will, but will they have a market in which to sell them? Where will the vetinary surgeons spring from to care for the cattle? Will the air space, travel control, cheap fares still be available? Will the fight against terrorism be controlled by London? What will the British actually gain from becoming a small island? Or an even smaller island if we lose NI and Gibraltar? If indeed, we become a little and obscure Isle of May?

Tips on negotiation.   When emotions run high , negotiating skills drop dramatically. Be aware. When in negotiation, each party should come away with the attitude: 'I can support what you want because this isn't your deal , it's our deal.' Always strive to listen  to concerns so win, lose or draw both parties feel they have a voice, feel they have power. Try to narrow the areas of dispute. Work hard at finding a middle ground. Be specific in your agreement and the outcome of the negotiations. (In this case don't just keep saying 'Brexit means Brexit' because that doesn't really mean anything at all.) I voted Remain but am offering Mrs May this advice because I'm feeling desperate already! Delete 10 Recommend Reply

Update: 8th May 2017. Five Suicides at The University of Bristol. University of Bristol. Most of the headlines on today's newspapers are about yesterday's 'Autumn Statement. I watched that on TV yesterday and listened to the debates. Scrolling a little way down my news app (The Times and Sunday Times) I am shocked and dismayed to see the news of three suspected suicides at Bristol University, all of which have occurred in this new academic year. We all read and watch so much news that our 'shock' reaction button has become somewhat muted but I find 'news' like this utterly shocking as well as so desperately sad. I walk my dog around a beautiful park everyday, there is a particularly lovely old tree that has little flowers planted at its base, the flowers are incongruous to the seasons, obviously picked up in a nursery and planted with hope that they will survive the frosts to which they are unaccustomed. The tree has recently had some of its branch...