I'm In!

And so Referendum Day has rolled around at last.

Those who know me will be entirely unsurprised to learn that I voted 'Remain'. I never had a moment's doubt about this for many reasons.

I feel instinctively that I'm not only English but also a European and a citizen of the world. Like most of us in this country, I have forebears who migrated here from elsewhere and relatives of mine have, themselves, migrated to live elsewhere. And I want everyone else to have the opportunity to do the same - either because they want to or because they simply have no other option.

I believe in collaboration and the idea of community. Which isn't to say that communities have to be homogenous, indeed they can be rich in their diversity. That's one of the best things about them! Being a part of the EU has, I believe, helped to keep not only Europe but the world a safer, more secure and more equal place. It's been a broadly positive thing both economically and socially and it's helped to shore up human rights which are forever under threat of erosion.

Of course there are enormous challenges but I'd rather tackle them together, with compassion and common humanity, than retreat and stand apart.

I popped into the Polling Station on my way to work and can report that it was heaving! When I voted in the local elections last month there was metaphorical tumbleweed blowing through it, which I found very depressing, but today it was the busiest I've ever seen it. At last, something has engaged the people! (Blippers in Scotland have obviously had their own recent experience of this sort of thing but it's an absolute revelation in this neck of the woods!)

I'm genuinely in a state of high anxiety about the outcome. Gulp!

Today's irony-laden song seems particularly fitting. 'Jewel In The Crown' was written by Julie Matthews, who performs it here with the mighty Albion Band - a band which has celebrated all that's best about England for over 40 years without ever being Little Englanders! www.youtube.com/watch?v=a07qcXpDzoA

Today's photograph is of a woman who came to this country as a refugee. Her face tells a thousand stories.