Article 13 and Brexit: Why you should care

It effects everyone, inside the EU or not. If you live in the UK, please read this article. If you don’t then I’ve linked a video at the bottom that explains how Article 13 effects ALL of us, not just the UK, not just the EU, but EVERYBODY.

So to my fellow Brits: Hey ya’ll even though we’re Brexiting, Article 13 still effects us.

I haven’t even see this covered on the news.

It’s probably not on Mays list of prorities right now, we got to get this Brexit deal and all the trade deals but THIS IS IMPORTANT. It really does challenge free speech and the future of the internet whether we leave or not, weather it’s sooner or later, it will effect us.

I don’t know who my MEP is, I’m going to have to find out. The media seems to focus on our MPs, on our domestic politics (before the EU referendum) and the idea of staying in the European union was only challenged by right wing parties such a UKIP.

MEPs are voted in by The D’Hondt system, a type of proportional representation. Where have we heard of proportional representation? In the 2011 referendum, where we voted on the chance to change our own voting system to proportional representation. This was condemned by all major parties as being confusing and unnecessary, allowing smaller parties to infiltrate the house of commons and gain more power. This is a rather twisted perspective on the issue but it was how the vote to stay as ‘First past the post’ was presented. This was conveniently poorly explained by the major parties here but the process is fine for electing our MEPs? The people who vote on and represent us in the place that makes over half the UK laws?

I don’t have a problem with Proportional representation as a form of voting. The problem occurs when it’s not explained to people. The D’Hondt system isn’t as complicated as the alternative voting method proposed in 2011 but I had to research this myself. When we come to the MP elections and have a big map with all the colours on to see who won what, where. And yet, the majority of our laws are not made in our parliament but in the EU.

That’s not even getting started on how EU legistation is passed. It’s complicated because there are a lot of parties involved. With that many countries, it’s always going to be complicated. But why do we HAVE to make a law together? Can’t one country be like, ‘Hey we made a law guys, it worked out pretty good, want to have a meeting, take a look at it, see if you want it for your country?’ Because we’re all different countries. One thing might work out for one country and not another. Brexit doesn’t mean the end of international cooperation, it just gives the freedom to chose which laws we adopt. Like this one, Article 13, pretty crappy, no thanks. (I’ve linked a video at the end that explain in great detail how this will effect all of us and how the wording of the draft is pretty terrible and could have disastrous consequences for creatives who have jobs in the new medias such as Youtube)

Still some would argue in this case, being in the EU gives us a voice against the next draft being passed. We can change, re-word it from the inside. But I would say, if there was no EU and only one coutry passed the legisation that is article 13. I think other countries would watch and see it’s destructive course and decide, ‘Hey, that’s not for us’. Even if they did decide to make an attempt to take on the legislation this would be heavily opposed by the people of the country (as it effects free speech and creation) who, in this case, the politicians are directly answering to. Besides, this dude in the video is AMERICAN and you can see he still has influce over this decision, just by speaking out about it and he’s not in the EU.

Being governed by our own parliament that we directly vote in, in a system everyone understands is flexible, direct with the people of each country and more democratic.

Sure, our government will have to do a lot more research ourselves when it come to creating new laws, our own goverment will have to do more work but at the same time it can be streamlined to what the people in this country want. It will be focused on the issues that effect THIS country.

Anyway, that’s why I voted Brexit. I respect anyone who voted to remain. By doing this freedom of movement is on the line, trade deals need negotiating, it puts the country into great upheaval and uncertainty. I believe it’s better to simply be governed by our own parliment and that’s its worth this mess. Some people will disagree. I respect that.

What really gets on my tits is the whole ‘if you voted Brexit, you were a misinformed idiot’ or ‘a racist’. I went to a Lib Dem talk a couple of months back and the speaker acted very partronising to all those who voted for Brexit, as if over half the population are a bunch of idiots. ‘It’s not their fault they voted wrong, it’s just they misunderstood’ and that ‘we shouldn’t even hold referendums because people will just vote on weather they are happy with the government and not the issue at hand.’ I found that pretty arrogant to be fair.

No wonder no one openly admits they voted Brexit. They get ridiculed and I think that’s not right. That’s control through fear.

Anyhow, in the face of Article 13 I’m glad we’re moving out. Sorry about this giant rant, if you read all this, I hope you found it at least thought provoking.

Brexit aside, Article 13 affects all of us and not just your enjoyment of memes, review channels and all sorts fall under this. Please take some time to watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbXHrj8k7dg. and send out a tweet.

#savetheinternet

#saveourinternet

#Article13