Set a date for decisive vote on abortion - UN criticises Irish abortion laws

IN less than a fortnight around 65 million British people will have an opportunity to vote on whether or not they wish to continue to be a part of the warts-and-all European project. Because the vote is seen as a once-in-a-lifetime crossroads strident arguments, not always rooted in rational thought, basic human generosity or objective calculation, have been knowingly made by both sides.

Fear and exaggeration are used to try and sway undecided voters. Already, almost two weeks before the first ballot is cast, there are suggestions that whatever the result is that David Cameron’s Conservative Party will be irrevocably split and that even if Britain votes to remain a member of the EU Tory eurosceptics will continue to agitate to leave the EU and to replace Cameron as their leader. EU membership may be the immediate issue but it is not hard to argue that is a symptom of a far wider, deeper cultural war or that we have our own version — or versions — of that social schism.

In so many ways, Britain’s nasty debate over EU membership runs parallel to Ireland’s never-ending, toxic division over abortion. The idea of compromise does not arise, one side is determined to prevail over the other. Each side is certain that it is right and that their opponents are, if not evil, then something pretty close to it. Neither side seems even interested in trying to consider the issue from the other’s perspective. Minds are closed and hearts are hardened.