On Brexit

Dear everyone disheartened by this: please don't be.
Now, more than ever, we need to have courage.
Now, more than ever, we need to have strength.

For so long, we have simply resorted to fear to make our case.
Fear of the man next door, fear of the unknown.
And believe it or not, this makes people scared.

So now, as we face the unknown, we can not be frightened.
One decision is made. But other than that, everything is on the table.
The road ahead need not be that which we assume.

So, to those who voted for the first time, thank you.

Britain came out in such great force yesterday
So we need you to not be scared. To not be disillusioned. To vote again.

It is the job of those in politics to make this new message hopeful.
That we are not just a community of an island, but of a world.
To inspire the next generation into a country they want to fight for.

What has happened in the past is unchangeable.
What happens next is up to us.
So please, be strong. We need you.

This was written over breakfast on the morning of the Brexit result. After a campaign which saw a lot of young people involved with politics for the first time, I saw a lot of anger and sadness at the result. Some people don't need much to be involved, but I wanted to write something encouraging those who did. To point out why, as difficult as it is, the natural response to give up faith is the one we must not take. Well, in my opinion at least.