As we enter June and are now three weeks from the EU referendum, some may be breathing a sigh of relief at the prospect of it soon being over.
The campaign so far, from both sides, has at times strayed onto scary, if not ridiculous territory. We have been told, despite absolutely no factual basis that World War Three will break out if we leave, or that it will become impossibly complex to go on holiday to Europe; or that Britain would be swamped by millions from Turkey if we stay.
I have made no secret of the fact that I think Britain will be better off if we vote to Leave on June 23rd, but I come to that conclusion because of the better future I think it will allow us, rather than to avoid some prophesised doom fantasies.
After a Brexit I want Britain to continue to trade with the EU, all of its members will still want to trade with us, but I want a post-Brexit-Government to negotiate mutually beneficial trade relationships with our important European partners like France and Germany, as well as being free to seek more trade with China, India, and South America which the EU currently makes more difficult.
Immigration is also taking a central place in this debate. But it is not a case of wanting to stop all immigrants coming to Britain, for they bring valuable skills and diversity to our communities. But outside the EU we could have a more controlled and fairer immigration policy, where we are able to treat migrants from India, Pakistan, Africa, the US, Australia and the rest of the world equally, based on the skills they bring, and not a blind bias to accepting all from the EU, including those with no real skills to bring.
Also, no-one should be say saying we won’t ever co-operate with other European Governments on big issues like terrorism and global warming, but that these issues can be dealt with outside of the EU’s vast political structures, and that ultimately British laws should be made by MPs like me, and Mary Robinson, and Anne Coffey, who you have elected, not unelected bureaucrats in Brussels who you have no say over.
It is these, the more measured arguments and positive reasons to vote for a bright future outside the EU that people should focus on, and to leave the disaster stories to the fantasists.