I think I have always thought of myself as European. This may be why, when I first heard about the possibility of a referendum, I was horrified and vowed to do what I could to stay in the European Union.
The referendum in 2016 had two distinct options; to leave or to remain. For me, there was only one option that made any sense. Remaining meant staying with our friends and neighbours in the rest of Europe: sharing culture and values, and being aligned in trade, economy, and defence. It also, in my view, meant a shared commitment to peace. What leaving meant was unthinkable: going forward alone.
And of course, the unthinkable happened or was voted for in June 2016. I struggled, along with many others, to understand how or why this could have happened. Despite the fact that it seemed that there were two completely opposing views on Europe in my country, I cannot believe or maybe refuse to believe that we are so very different.
I refuse to do hate, this is not something that will help us.
Ten years on and my views are very similar. It is imperative that we do all we can to re-integrate into Europe and rejoin the EU, all in the spirit of friendship and peace.
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