Why, Why, Why?!?

**malvolio** · 7 November 2019, 14:58

Because they wer old enough to have voted IN in the 70s and smart enough to realise just how far the EU Programme has deviated from what they were voting for and how badly the UK has been affected by dictates from Brussels. As is the case for most people over 60, come to that; its nothing to do with age and all about experience.

Plus servicemen tend to have a better sernse of national pride than the average citizen.

**sasguru** · 7 November 2019, 15:02

Originally posted by Whorty View Post

Serious question (I know, I'm asking for trouble on this subforum trying to ask a serious question!) but why does it seem that ex-service personnel in the majority support Brexit?

I live in a village where service personnel come to die (sorry, retire) and without fail, every one I have spoken to supports Brexit with some 'passion'. On here those who have a military background are strong Brexit supporters. You often see the same interviewed on the news.

But why is this? What has caused the correlation between ex-service personnel and Brexit? Is it lack of formal, free thinking education? Is it living abroad, but in the cocoon of a military camp? Is it military training, where service persons are trained to dehumanise the 'enemy'?

Clearly my possible causes are coloured by my own biased views, so what are the real reasons? Why the correlation?

The two ex-army officers I know are vehement Remainers. They make even me embarrased by the epithets they call Leavers.
Perhaps it's just the cannon fodder (whose average reading age is 10) that support Leave.

**BrilloPad** · 7 November 2019, 15:04

Wetherspoon's lambasted for Brexit beermat campaign - BBC News

Why is Weatherspoons promoting Brexit? I thought you had to support Brexit to be allowed in?

**Whorty** · 7 November 2019, 15:19

Originally posted by sasguru View Post

The two ex-army officers I know are vehement Remainers. They make even me embarrased by the epithets they call Leavers.
Perhaps it's just the cannon fodder (whose average reading age is 10) that support Leave.

Not always. Chap in our private close, was very senior in the army with time in NI and Germany, and his wife who is also ex-service are very (very) brexit. They're racist too, but as we hear on here all the time that isn't a correlation so that was just a passing comment

**sasguru** · 7 November 2019, 15:26

Originally posted by Whorty View Post

N They're racist too, but as we hear on here all the time that isn't a correlation so that was just a passing comment

Well racism correlates well with low intelligence, so perhaps he's one of those thick Ruperts who get their position from family background and connections

The ones I know are bright enough to get senior jobs in the City after leaving.

**CryingSheep** · 7 November 2019, 15:29

Originally posted by malvolio View Post

Because they wer old enough to have voted IN in the 70s and smart enough to realise just how far the EU Programme has deviated from what they were voting for and how badly the UK has been affected by dictates from Brussels. As is the case for most people over 60, come to that; its nothing to do with age and all about experience.

Loads of crap!

Originally posted by malvolio View Post

Plus servicemen tend to have a better sernse of national pride than the average citizen.

Very likely this! Just not sure the word 'better' is the best to use here...

**Whorty** · 7 November 2019, 15:32

Originally posted by CryingSheep View Post

Very likely this! Just not sure the word 'better' is the best to use here...

By 'national pride' I think he really means 'nationalistic views'

**scooterscot** · 7 November 2019, 15:47

Might be related to spending more of their working lives around non-natives. Remember a large part of the campaign was brought about from immigration. Of course it's nothing to do with the EU. More likely the result of the UK's illegal pointless conflicts.