EU Referendum: Take the power back and vote

No, this is not another carefully worded, politically motivated article encouraging you to tick a particular box in the vote on June 23. When you drop that ballot paper into the box, inevitably you, along with millions of others, will question – “was that really worth it?”.

Realistically, what can you contribute to a deeply complex debate over political sovereignty, foreign security, and the erosion of national character? It seems that, yet again, we stand at the mercy of the political class who would love for us to remain tabula rasa, lending our apathetic minds to blindly vote for whoever shouts the loudest.

We stand at the mercy of the political class who would love for us to remain tabula rasa

Except something is wrong. Something is different. You see for the first time in twenty-first century Britain, the politicians are scared. Parties rely on unity and normality, but that thin ice has broken under the strain of such a potent issue.

Last week, Johnson sparred with Cameron, and an uneasy Prime Minister called upon the U.S. President to intervene and make the case for Remain. Every day facts and figures are disputed, ex-Prime Ministers wade in on the debate, and reporters even manage to suggest that Shakespeare would have a thing or two to say about Europe.

Reporters even manage to suggest that Shakespeare would have a thing or two to say about Europe

A week or so ago there was a remarkable image of David Cameron, Neil Kinnock, and Paddy Ashdown at a telephone phone-in, and no doubt there were some interesting words behind the scenes. But if a picture could paint a thousand words, there were a million in this one, because it showed that the established pillars of Westminster simply do not know how to get out of this one alive.

Remarkably enough, the British political system has remained relatively consisted for nearly a century. A predominant two party system led by a well-educated, white male elite, claiming they know what’s best for a family of four from a housing estate in Rotherham.

A predominant two party system led by a well-educated, white male elite

Yet suddenly in 2016, a year after yet another run-of-the-mill General Election, the people have the power back. Democracy is alive and kicking, and there is panic in Westminster, and panic in Brussels. Of course, there won’t be a pitch-fork revolution on the street.

But something considerably more powerful is stirring: the British people are talking. The world is talking. And the political elite are running scared. This really is uncharted waters for British democracy. The party system has forever been the cornerstone of politics and a shadow over the people.

Something considerably more powerful is stirring: the British people are talking

But with it gone, the public can breathe again and see a little more clearly the true character of politics. And it is vibrant, it is vehement, and it has a vendetta against those who for decades have made decisions that we simply have had no hand in. The way you chose to vote is, of course, extremely important. However, what is even more critical is that we talk, debate, discuss and inform ourselves.

For that is what Westminster has always trembled at the thought of: a public who actually care about the future of their country. June 23 is not about whether we stay or leave the EU, it is a rallying call to reclaim the standard of democracy.