EU

I was for many years a civil servant, a member of Her Majesties diplomatic service, I may have mentioned this before! Today I received the leaflet that has been sent out by our current incumbents. Portrayed as a waste of public money and derided by those who oppose it's message, it seems to me to a fairly mild document that lays out the Government position based on their "facts" as to why we should stay in. As an ex-diplomat I find it astonishing that the UK would even consider leaving after 40 years of membership. Our terms of entry may have been contentious and over the years Britain have had reservations and objections to many of the collective policies and laws that have been created. The bureaucracy and weight of legislation, rules and regulations have not all been good. There are many things we would like to change or modify but is that not also true of our own Parliament and legislature. No group of nations in however loose or formal a partnership, is going to agree with everything that is proposed or every rule that becomes law. It is fundamental to any union that disagreement has to be accepted as part and parcel of that union. 
A Europe without Britain is a weaker Europe, history shows this to be true in spite of our many wars and disputes over the centuries. With whom else are we going to be partnered with? The continent is not going to go away, it will always be our neighbour, we are irrevocably joined to Europe and intertwined with it.
Regardless of the economic consequences, trading opportunities or markets available, there is a social and pure humanitarian consequence of no longer being a member. How do you divorce your nation from 40 years of being "in"?
I believe that that "silent" majority of British people who are naturally conservative by nature will vote to stay. I think most of us are far more tolerant of Europe than we sometimes lead others to believe. I personally love Europe and all its diversity and colourful history. Having served in many Embassies throughout the continent, I am sure that I can correctly state that I know of no current member nation who want us to leave.
We need to grow up and take a more balanced and mature view of our position in the world and specifically Europe and stop whittling on about sovereignty and independence.
So,as I am sure I have made clear I am voting yes remaining, I urge my fellow citizens to do the same.