Hitchin Meeting considers Brexit divisions
Hitchin Meeting held a second meeting to consider the political situation surrounding Brexit
Hitchin Meeting held a second special Preparatory Meeting (PM) about the political situation surrounding Brexit this month following a concern raised in Meeting for Worship last month. Anthony Cole, the member of Hitchin Meeting who raised the concern, told the Friend: ‘The atmosphere at the Meeting was very subdued, somewhat like that among the survivors of a natural disaster, pleased to be alive but apprehensive of what the future holds.’
The Meeting follows an initial PM on the subject on 3 February.
Cathy Rowlands, clerk of Hitchin Meeting, said ‘the strong, almost panicked, emotions… had subsided, in part due to… a grudging sense of acceptance’.
One Friend likened his current feelings to a bereavement: ‘We shared concerns that in the event of the predicted (bad) consequences of Brexit, people will be looking for someone to blame, and minority groups may be particularly vulnerable.’
However, Cathy Rowlands added that there was ‘a glimmer of hope’. ‘We were reminded that the next generation may make a different decision… We must not lose energy in feeling miserable: there are many areas we can still make a difference, such as the divisions which may have led to the referendum result.’
