Over the last few weeks I’ve seen some impassioned and considered blog posts outlining so eloquently why the respective authors want to remain in the EU. I must admit, I panicked. How could I make my own contribution to the debate in the last few weeks stand out from the rest?
Yesterday evening, it struck me. Something that hasn’t (to my knowledge) been done before… An A-Z ‘Remain’ poem and general ode to the EU! You saw it here first. Enjoy….
Are you ready for the vote of a lifetime?
Belgian chocolate, Barolo, it’s all on the line.
You know, we brits, we’re a bunch of consumers
Of Danish bacon, pizza, pasta, and frankfurters.
The ERASMUS scheme improves our education,
And free trade benefits not just students, but our whole nation.
We can’t get enough of that delicious German beer,
But soberly, remember the human rights we hold dear.
We get around easily, on the fabulous inter-rail,
And without those 3 million jobs, our economy could fail.
We love our kebabs – both Greek and Turkish 🙂
Isn’t it obvious, to Leave would be churlish?
M is for Merlot, that’s a no-brainer.
And we’re not like Norway – a cold and lonely stranger.
For fans of Arsenal and beauty, there’s Olivier Giroud,
And on a higher level, there’s more peace – fewer feuds.
Yes, some of the rules are a little quirky,
But who cares – the lack of roaming charges will keep you perky(!)
We can’t turn away from the Sangria in Spain,
And free travel alone is enough reason to remain.
United responses are needed for climate change and extremism,
So please vote remain, to help us achieve them.
All workers, unite, it’s your rights we need to keep.
The X is for xenophobia – which we will defeat.
Vote remain for the Young people, lest they pay the price,
Don’t let hate and fear be our generation’s Zeitgeist.
* Jenni Hollis is Haringey Liberal Democrat Campaign Chair, former Office and Campaign Manager for Lynne Featherstone. Now working in as a Campaigns Consultant for Verbalisation, and blogging and commentating at www.JenniHollis.org.uk
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6 Comments
Jenni
Such efforts are a delightful diversion from the usual , and a testimony to your enthusiasm and that of a vast swathe of the party for a cause I just cannot see , relate to or share in the almost obsessive devotion to.
Yes to remain. And that is the extent of my ode on this one ! Now if it had been to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the birth of Marilyn Monroe , as with, even the 90th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen , these I could wax romantically , lyrically on !!
“And we’re not like Norway – a cold and lonely stranger.
…
The X is for xenophobia – which we will defeat.”
When I have visited Norway in the summer I have found it to be a warm and beautiful country, as too are the many friendly Norwegians I have met.
Muhammad Ali might have approved! He was a fan of poetry. Quite clever anyway, it made me smile.
The referendum is throwing up mixed feelings for me. I’m committed to remain, but some of the arguments for remain annoy me, so I won’t be upset if we vote to leave.
I will feel fear though. I’ve got a pro democracy foreign policy and I don’t like the idea of moving further away from the EU, which is actually a major symbol of liberal democracy, despite what some people say about it.
Jenni, this is absolutely brilliant and is one of the few things that has made me smile during this campaign. Many thanks for sharing it with us.
Agreed – a welcome change.
Bravo, Jenni. Yes, I’ve been to Norway, too, a land of welcomes, fish, and reindeer steaks. If you can tweak that line, I’ll gladly Tweet your poem. May I suggest, perhaps:
M is for Merlot, a wine of great note,
And we’re not like Norway, having no vote