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An open letter, and appeal, to our partners in EuropeTo our partners in Europe, We need your help. Many of us in Great Britain are distraught at the results of our EU referendum. We are sad, horrified, ashamed and worried. We do not want to be torn away from a Union which enriches our lives and is so strongly part of who we are. We appreciate that we live in a democracy where our opinions, and choices, are not all the same. But this choice, one which will have an immeasurable impact on our lives and our futures - on our children and grandchildren’s futures - is too devastating not to challenge. We would request that you consider the following before any motion to formally sever Britain’s membership of the EU is accepted: 1) You will be aware of the small margin by which the Leave side won, and that those who voted to Leave represented only 37% of the electorate. 2) You no doubt also know that amongst the younger demographic of voters - on whom this will have the most-felt and longest effect - the results were overwhelmingly to Remain (it’s worth noting, too, unlike during the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence, the voting age was not extended to include 16 and 17 year olds, despite the impact it will have on them). 3) You may be aware of the astonishing untruths - not just the general political scaremongering, which was certainly present on both sides - but very specific lies blatantly presented as facts, which were a foundation of the Leave campaign, encouraging votes based on information which was utterly fabricated. That in itself should have been illegal: if this were a court case, would the prosecution be allowed to invent evidence without there being a mistrial? The Leave claims are being increasingly exposed, undermining the integrity of the result. 4) Those who led the Leave campaign have now publicly admitted that they had no plan in place for Britain in the event that they won; a criminally cavalier lack of responsibility regarding the welfare and livelihoods of millions in the UK and beyond. 5) As this was an advisory referendum only, there is no legal obligation for the result to be implemented; in fact, it would be disastrously irresponsible to do so. Already, we are becoming crushed under an avalanche of consequences, including the break up not only of the European Union, but the United Kingdom, as we watch Scotland (entirely justifiably) claim another referendum for their independence. The Northern Ireland peace process is also now in jeopardy. We appreciate that our alliance with the EU may not be perfect and, like any partnership, needs to evolve and be subject to reform. But the question of our EU membership should never have been put to a public vote, one which was only offered in an effort for David Cameron to win General Election support his party feared would be lost to others. This was a gamble with catastrophic consequences for millions. On both sides, our people - those who wished to Leave, and those who wanted to Remain - have already been let down by poor governance, over many years, which has created deeply felt inequality, divisiveness and distrust. We have been encouraged to feel under attack, from those outside the UK, both through immigration and bureaucracy (as with other countries, we are caught in a race to the bottom from those pedaling a smokescreen of anti-European, anti-immigration sentiments). But our membership of the European Union has become something of a red herring, a false target at which to direct this anger. That anger is understandable: but please, please don’t let the circumstances surrounding this referendum - a spitting cauldron of misinformation and disenfranchisement - leave us with a result that is only very dangerously furthering the divide. Our country has deep wounds which will take time, effort and great change to heal, but millions of us believe that leaving the EU will only further hurt us. Please know that we don’t want to be isolated and fearful, to reverse our country to darker times. We desperately want to remain part of the European Union, to promote peace and opportunity and unification, to look to a better future - a future those who founded the Union wanted for us. And we would hope that support in maintaining our membership of the European Union would further encourage unity between all member nations during these tumultuous times. We implore you to allow us, the citizens of Britain - your fellow committed Europeans - to appeal this referendum result before irreparable damage is suffered by us, and many others throughout Europe. With hope and solidarity,306 of 400 SignaturesCreated by Emily Davidson
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Charge Nigel Farage with Incitement to Racial HatredThe poster was intended to influence voters in the EU referendum by wrongly blaming immigrants for all the UK's problems. It has been exposed as inaccurate (it shows Syrian refugees in Eastern Europe, not EU migrants in the UK) and compared to Nazi propaganda against the Jews. In the 4 days since the vote to leave, there have been many horrifying examples of racial hatred reported in the press and on social media. This behaviour is illegal, as well as being deeply distressing to the victims and and damaging to our society as a whole. The country needs some very clear messages that racial hatred is unacceptable, and a high-profile prosecution over this notorious poster would be an excellent start.25,638 of 30,000 SignaturesCreated by Jane Jones
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Don't let Brexit spell the end for our natural environmentWhichever way you voted in the EU referendum, I hope you will agree that we live in a small country with a high population density and ever increasing pressure for development of our green areas, which both support our wildlife and give people space to exercise, relax and play. We have lost so much natural habitat already it would be a tragic if one of the results of this referendum is the erosion of our remaining wild places and their associated wildlife. Due to our high land use, it is also important that stringent regulations on pollution of air, water and land are kept in place. This will ensure that our small island remains 'a green and pleasant land'.1,707 of 2,000 SignaturesCreated by elizabeth pimley
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Introduce a Universal Basic Income into the UKBecause the anger demonstrated by Brexit reflects the deep sense of alienation not only from political life but from engagement in society which is felt by so many. As the food bank queues grow longer it is essential that we move beyond welfare to create a truly radical reshaping of our economy in order that all can participate.200 of 300 SignaturesCreated by Geoff Smith
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Keep the EU laws that protect our environmentThe bedrock of our wildlife and environmental protections, which have massively improved air and water have come from our relationship with countries across Europe, predominantly based on EU legislation. We need to make sure that these gains are protected into the future, rather than becoming, once again, the Dirty Man of Europe. Ensure that our legislation is kept strong, protecting our environment into the future. We have stopped exporting acid rain across Europe, we are doing good work on Climate Change, our wildlife, which is still in serious trouble, is improving because of our work with other EU member states.10,422 of 15,000 SignaturesCreated by Matthew Buckler
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Cancer treatment in rural WalesBecause it saves many lives and makes the difficult task of dealing with having cancer a little easier to manage.5 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Simon Rutherford
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Re open Poole Public toiletsPoole Council's closure of town centre and shopping area toilets is hurting those who need more accessible loos - whether that be for those with disabilities, parents with small children and our OAPs. The alternative offered of using the toilets provided in shops does not take into account our community's needs as the shops taking part in the scheme may not be open when you need it or not be what people need. For example, I have spoken to disabled people that would not want to go into a cafe to use their wc to change themselves with their helper. One other lady said: "My husband had prostate cancer. We wouldn't have been able to go out if there were no public toilets for him to use. There are many in the same situation who rely on them." In Bournemouth, they have new disabled toilets with hoist and a changing table. Let's get Poole Council to reinstate the public toilets - particularly for OAPs, parents with small children and disabled people.1,456 of 2,000 SignaturesCreated by M Scott-Martin
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No confidence in Jeremy Corbyn as Leader of the Labour PartyFollowing the Brexit vote we need a Labour Government with a strong leader to ensure that all those who live in and work in the UK whatever their origin get the lives and rights that they deserve. _________________________________________________________________________ This petition has been started by a member of public and not 38 Degrees. 38 Degrees is a non-party political organisation, with no links to any political parties. If there's a campaign that you'd like to run why not start your own petition here: http://38d.gs/start-your-petition350 of 400 SignaturesCreated by David Bettle
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To have the SNP run in the next general election so that Nicola Sturgeon can become UK PMBecause she seems to be the only politician in the UK that makes sense.7 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Christopher Pepper
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Support SNP to Veto BexitIn adding our support to Nicola Sturgeon in her bid to veto Brexit, we can avoid the prospect of UK Exiting the EU. We do not want to become disconnected from Europe, both economically and culturally. EU citizens living in the UK and Europe have expressed their shock at the referendum result and they fear it signals a xenophobic turning point in British politics. Please sign this petition to challenge this shameful turn in British politics. Support the SNP to veto Brexit.8 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Ruth Riley
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Scottish Vote for Independence 2Scotland's voice isn't being heard.197 of 200 SignaturesCreated by Michael Wilkinson
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Is it time for a cross party government of National UnityAt a time of democratically motivated fundamental change the country requires the help and support of the very best individuals to develop and implement a strategy irrespective of party or previous position on the Brexit question.5 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Brenda Vale
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