Star comment: 'Noisy' EU debate not slowing
Not a day will pass before the Brexit referendum without new headlines being made. The pro-EU and anti-EU camps will be banging their war drums as they advance their own case.
The latest participants in the increasingly noisy debate are farmers and Michael Gove. They have polarised opinions.
The NFU has thrown its weight behind the campaign to remain a part of Europe, which is significant for a county like Shropshire.
Farmers are a smart bunch. They have to be. In their increasingly globalised industry, they pit their wits against all-comers from around the globe while having to contend with such variables as weather, pests and disease.
Clearly there will be many within the farming community who disagree with the NFU's assessment. In fact, it may be that some feel let down by their organisation's stance – or even by the NFU's decision to take a stand at all on this divisive subject.
The NFU has clearly thought long and hard about the best possible scenarios, coming down in favour of ongoing membership of the EU. Perhaps that is not surprising. Our involvement in the European trading block means we are able to trade freely, without tariffs, and establish business relationships. There is access to occasional subsidies too, which have benefited farmers.
The promise of continued trade versus the uncertainty that Brexit would bring is one of the most important factors in the NFU's decision. It has made a simple calculation – farmers will be worse off if we leave.
There will be those who say this view is too cautious. Brexit campaigners would say that fear of change is not enough when so much is at stake.
Mr Gove is one of those and his analysis is that we should leave. Interestingly, he finds himself at odds with his Treasury's analysis of the impact of leaving the EU, which begs the question – what faith does he have in his own Government?
More to the point, what on earth will relations be like within the Conservative party once the referendum is over? It is difficult to imagine that political allies like Mr Gove and Prime Minister David Cameron can campaign so vigorously for conflicting objectives and then work harmoniously together once the dust has settled.
A final decision will be made on polling day, but the repercussions may last a lifetime.
