[Osem]

Originally Posted by Chris

Has the sky fallen in yet? I have to admit I've pretty much zoned out now, as far as the EU referendum is concerned. For me it's settled, I am voting leave, unless the remain campaign can wind their hysteria in a bit and give me some believable reasons.

Even if they did you'd have to ask why they waited so long to employ those arguments and preferred instead providing the electorate with an unremitting diet of fear and exaggeration. It's perfectly possible to come out on one side or the other whilst at the same time acknowledging the down sides inherent in so doing.

---------- Post added at 16:17 ---------- Previous post was at 16:07 ----------

The increasing Euro-scepticism in Poland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36331903

... But the mood in Poland is different now and the former president's focus was on the challenges facing the EU. At the top of the list: a possible Brexit.

I'm afraid that Brexit would bring about a disintegration of Europe
Aleksander Kwasniewski, Polish President, 1995 - 2005

"It would be very dangerous," he tells me afterwards, "as there is already a complicated momentum in the world and I'm afraid that Brexit would bring about a disintegration of Europe."

Polish politicians of all stripes seem nervous about Britain leaving the EU. Many speak darkly about it ending not just an era, but maybe the European Union itself; a club they fought so hard to join.

There are fears of the practical consequences too.


With more than a million Poles living in the UK and, in many cases, sending money home to their families, Polish officials are concerned that a new economic burden could be placed on their country.

Ironically for Poland, the UK referendum comes at a time of particular frostiness in its relationship with the European Union.

Ever since the conservative Law and Justice Party came to power last year, relations between Warsaw and Brussels have become strained.

The new government's decision to make changes to the Constitutional Court has raised not just eyebrows, but red flags at the European Commission.

After making a preliminary investigation, the Commission is now threatening further action, warning that Poland may be in breach of a fundamental principle of the EU: the rule of law.