BCC boss suspended

[Suff]

For telling the truth....

Basically he said that he believed the UK could have a brighter future outside of the EU. However as the BCC has a majority of companies who aren't interested in a brighter future, but more an easier life, he was suspended for breaching their "no official position" stance.

Whilst I understand that a person of that level can't have a "personal" position, I also find that the muzzling of anyone who believes that our future would be better our of the EU is damaging to the whole debate.

If the UK is NOT better off outside, then come to the table and tell us why it is better to stay in. Don't tell us that it's all going to be bad and evil if we leave, that's FUD. Fear Uncertainty and Doubt. It's how politicians win elections and it's business as usual for them.

[Workingman]

When I read that news on the BBC this morning I found it disconcerting.

I find that gagging orders on what people think about how the EU referendum should go is insulting to the speaker and the listener. If one side does not like what the other is saying then challenge it, but do not, ever, prevent them from saying it.

[Workingman]

Today I hear the Boris Johnson and Liam Fox are questioning the government's role in the suspension. The government is effectively the leader of the Remain group so it would not be surprising if it had played a part. It has, after all, a track record in attempting to silence those who want out, think of its ministers.

Those people who are undecided must be wondering what is going on with what has become known as 'project fear' and there might already have been enough of it to tip them into voting to leave.

Foot, aim: FIRE!

[Aggers]

They can gag whom ever they like, as far as I'm concerned. It won't affect my vote.

I do think , however, that there is a need for the public to be given more unbiased
information, and less of the doom and gloom statements from the IN brigade.
Some of their statements make me feel quite angry.

[Workingman]

Some of their statements make me feel quite angry.

Aggers, you are right to be angry. I certainly am, but with both sides. There has been nothing of subtance from either of them. For one side it is 'a step in the dark' and for the other it is 'a leap into the sunlight': useless soundbites. We have had nothing that any of us would recognise as a debate.

It is too late now, but when the referendum was announced it should have been accompanied with the setting up of an independent commission to look at the pros and cons. Official campaigning should then only have started after the commission's findings were published.

[Kaz]

No such thing as free speech it seems, any more

[Suff]

Problem is WM how do you get independent in this vote? Absolutely everyone from academia to business to politics has a vested interest. The only way in this vote to get the answer you need is to go and find it yourself.

The huge problem is that people now seem to want someone else to do all that work for them.

So, in the end, the group with the most reach and power with the media will win unless the in campaign really step on the crank with the golf shoes. ...

The EU is now aware of the danger and will scale back the really nasty changes until after the vote.

I can hope but in the end, I fear, that the vote will be carried by small minded self interes and disinterested lethargy. .

[Suff]

I see he has resigned and given an interview to the Telegraph roundly criticising Cameron and the Government.

There are more people coming out with the courage of their convictions than I expected. The remain campaign is easy, just toe the line. Now that the government is rabidly pushing remain, it's taking quite a bit of courage to push the other way.

Hopefully more people who believe the same will stand up and be counted.

[Workingman]

Problem is WM how do you get independent in this vote?

I did not mean independent of thought, I meant independent of the various campaigns. It is academic, anyway, as it never happened.

Looking round a few comments pages the Remain group have done themselves no good at all with so many people believing that the hand of No 10 was involved, despite the denials. This looks as though how things are going to go, no debate, no facts, just two sides slagging each other off.

[Suff]

Have we ever had a referendum which didn't go there??? The Scottish referendum wound up with slagging and fear and all the rest of it. Just like this one...