Referendum

– Well. Here we are. The polls have closed. Nothing to do now but wait.
– It's nearly time for bed.
– How can you think about sleeping on such a historic night? The future of the UK is on a knife-edge. A fundamental change to the way in which this country will be governed, most likely for the rest of our lifetimes. In the short term, a potentially devastating blow to our already shaky economy.
– What time will the result be out?
– Goodness knows. The early hours of the morning will see the first slew of declarations. But the final result will probably take till tomorrow morning.
– I'm not sure I can face sitting up all night. What is there to do?
– We can watch the engaging political discussion on the all-night news broadcasts.
– But they have no results to discuss at the moment.
– I don't see why that should be a problem. Politicians are never short of strongly held opinions, and seldom need to be asked twice to express them.
– The opinion polls have been worryingly variable.
– Yes. They have never settled over all these months. Always 50-50, plus or minus a few percent. Presumably that reflects the typical noise of any opinion poll.
– Makes you realise how difficult it is to predict these things.
– Precedent always helps. Maybe they'll learn something from this referendum to help them with the next one.
– I'm not sure I can face another referendum if this is what they are like. You feel it has opened up deep rifts among the voters, has fuelled some serious animosity.
– I fear there is an element of opening up a Pandora's box: resentment and bitterness are unlikely to vanish overnight whichever way the vote goes. If we decide on Leave, there will be many years of political wrangling and economic turmoil until our exit from the EU is finalised. If Remain comes out on top, we then have to make a success of repairing our relationship with the EU, as waves of Eurosceptism sweep over the rest of Europe. And who knows what the fall-out will be in terms of the Prime Minister's reputation and the cohesion of the Conservative party? Will we stumble towards an early General Election?
– Not much to look forward to, really.
– No, not much.

Whales

– Things are getting tense. Unbearably tense.
– Indeed. What things in particular?
– Well, everything, really. The EU referendum is only a few days away – the future of this country is hanging precariously in the balance.
– Of course. It is worrying to think of what might happen. I have to say I am very much in the Remain camp: it is difficult to see how leaving can have anything other than a negative impact on the economy. Not to mention that the spokesmen for the Leave campaign are among my least favourite politicians. Which is saying something.
– And on top of all that, Euro2016 has been painful to watch.
– But it is always painful supporting England. It is never an easy ride. No matter how well we play, the ball never wants to go into the back of the net. You almost see a parallel with being a member of the EU: there is a lot of anguish for what seems to be very little gain. But it's all about playing a part in something bigger than ourselves: believing in the positive side of taking part: not wanting to become isolated, peripheral.
– Or I suppose I could try supporting Wales. They seem to be doing well at the moment.
– I always knew they would.

Pretzel

It has been dismal outdoors these last few days: from drizzle to full-blooded shower to merciless deluge, all in the space of a few minutes. The long light evenings are being lost beneath leaden skies, compelling some of us to take shelter indoors and reluctantly watch the football.

I was briefly in the US last week. Not an easy thing to do, it taking so long to get there (though having said that, it has taken me almost as long to drive to the south coast in the summer holidays). But two and a bit days is plenty of time to see all there is to see, provided you get yourself organised and don't dawdle. After all, how much is there to do in Philadelphia? Unfortunately, I did not get to find out. It was one of those visits where you go from airport to hotel (in the middle of nowhere) to research site (down the road from the middle of nowhere) back to hotel back to research site back (through heavy traffic) to airport. But there were some nice dinners along the way to soften the disappointment.

On a sad note, there has been another appalling mass shooting, this time in Orlando. These events occur now with depressing regularity. Political commentary in the US and back here in the UK seems stuck on issues of immigration, fuelling blinkered nationalist views which are unlikely to make the world a safer place.

Capital

– And how was London?
– London? Hot. Blisteringly hot. And somehow full of people.
– I suppose that's the big city for you.
– I am not used to all that noise and bustle. And trains that go into the ground.
– I think they're meant to. It's nothing to worry about.
– Even so, it takes you by surprise. I am not sure I rate as a seasoned traveller.
– Maybe because you never travel anywhere.
– I suppose I am fairly content where I am.
– That's not what you said the other day.
– Well, yes, sometimes it gets a bit dull, staring at the same four walls day after day. And I guess the vast metropolis is a useful antidote. But I'd like to think that somewhere there was a happy medium.
– Perhaps you could open a window occasionally.
– Perhaps.