Oi Ref! We Asked People If They Care More About the Euros or EU Referendum

Maybe it's because my parents ruined the Santa illusion early on, or perhaps it's because half my family are Jewish, but I was never that excited for Christmas Day. Mind you, I still get the same sort of ritualistic excitement on a semi-regular basis, because polling day is my Christmas Day.

There is nothing better than a day spent exercising your democratic right to vote. I often spend it working at polling stations, where I hand out miniature pencils and count people as they walk in. Then I stay up until the early hours of the morning to watch the vote count – a real thrill.

Apparently, for some people, football tournaments serve the same purpose. With the Brexit debate coming to a head, I took to the streets to find out which event people are more excited about: the Euros or the EURef.

VICE: What are you most looking forward to, the EU referendum or the Euros?
Stephen: I'm not interested in politics or football.

Fair enough. Is there anything you are particularly interested in?
Badminton.

I see. Do you play badminton yourself?
I've been playing for 35 years. I used to be a semi-pro on the England Juniors team. I've toured Europe many times, played in France, Belgium, Holland and Denmark.

Wow!

What are you most excited for, the EU referendum or the Euros?
Jerome: Umm, let me think about that… well, both, to be honest.

Why both?
Staying in the EU is important because I believe we should be able to travel and work freely across Europe, and also, how could you not love football?

Who are you placing your bets on to win the Euros?
There is only one: England!

What are you most excited for, the Euros or the EU referendum?
Kaivalya: Definitely the EU referendum, but on a larger scale I think football does have an impact on politics and culture.

So it doesn't have enough to interest you more than the referendum?
Kaivalya: The referendum has a much more obvious effect on people and makes them question the amount of power they have.
Mela: I just get frustrated. I feel like, really and truly, whatever you want to happen in politics won't happen. There are people who hold power, and ultimately they will decide for you.
Kaivalya: I'm from the United Sates and we have this "special relationship" with the UK that isn't bound by any union, so it makes me think, 'Would it really be that bad if we left the EU?'

So you'd much rather watch the EU referendum vote count on TV than Germany vs Spain?
Mela: Yeah… I don't mind going to the pub if a match is on in the background, but that's about it.

What are you more excited for, the EU referendum or the Euros?
Leila: The EU referendum, of course!

Have you been following the debate closely?
Yes, because I am from Brussels, so it is important for me, especially as I am living here.

Are you apprehensive about how the vote will turn out?
Yes, slightly, because I knew how Britain was before we were in the EU. Europeans didn't want to travel here because it was bloody expensive. My friends and I were counting Belgian Francs, thinking, 'Oh shit, we can only go to McDonalds' – for us, the EU is our saviour.

So you're not interested in the Euros at all?
Less and less. Football is becoming a joke. Since that FIFA corruption story I've switched off from it. My boyfriend works for the US government and he's told me some stories about FIFA that you wouldn't believe.

Oh please continue…
No sorry, I cant.

What are you most looking forward to, the EU referendum or the Euros?
Nina: Neither.

Neither of them interest you?
Well, I'm American, so I'm way more interested in the politics over there and have been following that closely.

Have you ever had an interest in football?
I hooked up with a footballer once – does that count?

I think so, yes.

What are you more excited for, the EU referendum or the Euros?
Simon: Probably the referendum but I've not even registered, I've got to do that today before I forget!

Which arguments have got you interested in the debate?
I think the main issue is the economy; I'd like to know what would happen with all that. I think, with immigration, I know it needs controlling, but you do need a lot of immigration, especially around places where there are a lot of labourers needed, and they mainly come from Eastern Europe.

Has the EU debate been able to fully sustain your excitement throughout?
It does get a bit tedious at times. It seems like no one has any facts. Sometimes I do think you'll never know what Brexit will actually be like unless we leave.

So you're not bothered if England makes it through to the finals of the Euros?
No, I'm not interested in football at all; I'm into horse riding.

@ameliadimz

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