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Eurosceptic? Here's who you should you vote for in Eurovision Eurosceptic? Here's who you should you vote for in Eurovision
(4 months later)
The Eurovision Song Contest is just a bit of fun, but can be a night of conflicting emotions if you are a Eurosceptic. It is, after all, a display of pan-European solidarity and celebration.The Eurovision Song Contest is just a bit of fun, but can be a night of conflicting emotions if you are a Eurosceptic. It is, after all, a display of pan-European solidarity and celebration.
Fear not. Even if you're not happy with the direction Europe is going, or Britain's involvement in it, there are still songs you can support and perhaps vote for come Saturday night. Here are some entirely tongue-in-cheek suggestions - please add your own below the line.Fear not. Even if you're not happy with the direction Europe is going, or Britain's involvement in it, there are still songs you can support and perhaps vote for come Saturday night. Here are some entirely tongue-in-cheek suggestions - please add your own below the line.
Molly Smitten-Downes, United KingdomMolly Smitten-Downes, United Kingdom
At first glance, Molly Smitten-Downes' reassuringly double-barrelled name and cheery Leicestershire visage makes her the ideal Eurovision voting option for viewers desperate for Britain's immediate withdrawal from the EU. But the Lana del Rey-esque 'Children of the Universe' contains dangerous strains of universality and international solidarity. And what's this? "I really believe music is something that breaks down political barriers," she told the BBC. That sounds dangerously like hare-brained European utopianism to me.At first glance, Molly Smitten-Downes' reassuringly double-barrelled name and cheery Leicestershire visage makes her the ideal Eurovision voting option for viewers desperate for Britain's immediate withdrawal from the EU. But the Lana del Rey-esque 'Children of the Universe' contains dangerous strains of universality and international solidarity. And what's this? "I really believe music is something that breaks down political barriers," she told the BBC. That sounds dangerously like hare-brained European utopianism to me.
Eurosceptic score: 4/10Eurosceptic score: 4/10
Tolmachevy Sisters, RussiaTolmachevy Sisters, Russia
Keen-eyed readers will note that Russia aren't a member of the EU. Eurovision's borders are open to countries beyond the would-be superstate, and I'm not too sure Putin would be too keen on joining anyway.Keen-eyed readers will note that Russia aren't a member of the EU. Eurovision's borders are open to countries beyond the would-be superstate, and I'm not too sure Putin would be too keen on joining anyway.
The charming Tolmachevy Sisters were booed when appearing in Tuesday's semi-final, due in no small part to Russia's controversial stance on gay rights and recent events in Ukraine. The charming Tolmachevy Sisters were booed when appearing in Tuesday's semi-final, due in no small part to Russia's controversial stance on gay rights and recent events in Ukraine.
Of course, if you're a Eurospectic, you may well agree with Putin that the EU should keep their noses out of Ukraine. You may suspect the Burghers of Brussels of imperial overreach. You may admire strong leaders with a keen sense of their country's unique national identity, strength and destiny. You may wish to vote for Russia. Of course, if you're a Eurospectic, you may well agree with Putin that the EU should keep their noses out of Ukraine. You may suspect the Burghers of Brussels of imperial overreach. You may admire strong leaders with a keen sense of their country's unique national identity, strength and destiny. You may wish to vote for Russia.
Eurosceptic score: 8/10Eurosceptic score: 8/10
Pollapönk, IcelandPollapönk, Iceland
Iceland is a confusing one for Eurosceptics. On the one hand, here is a country whose response to the 2008 crisis was refreshingly maverick. They defaulted on their debts, a move many predicted would lead to ostracism by international markets.Iceland is a confusing one for Eurosceptics. On the one hand, here is a country whose response to the 2008 crisis was refreshingly maverick. They defaulted on their debts, a move many predicted would lead to ostracism by international markets.
Instead, their economy has recovered well and they still enjoy healthy trade with the European Union (and has its own trade deal with China, as Nigel Farage likes to point out). This is all thanks to not being in the EU, according to Iceland's Prime Minister. An island nation, prospering outside the union - what's not to love?Instead, their economy has recovered well and they still enjoy healthy trade with the European Union (and has its own trade deal with China, as Nigel Farage likes to point out). This is all thanks to not being in the EU, according to Iceland's Prime Minister. An island nation, prospering outside the union - what's not to love?
But hang on. There have been protests in the streets of Reykjavík at the government withdrawing its bid to join the EU without a referendum. What kind of topsy turvy world is this?But hang on. There have been protests in the streets of Reykjavík at the government withdrawing its bid to join the EU without a referendum. What kind of topsy turvy world is this?
The song? It's a jaunty anti-prejudice stomp.The song? It's a jaunty anti-prejudice stomp.
Eurosceptic score: 5/10Eurosceptic score: 5/10
Dilara Kazimova, AzerbaijanDilara Kazimova, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan isn't in the EU either. Indeed, the former Soviet state isn't in continental Europe by any stretch of the imagination, though it is a member of the Council of Europe and has strong ties with the Union. Azerbaijan isn't in the EU either. Indeed, the former Soviet state isn't in continental Europe by any stretch of the imagination, though it is a member of the Council of Europe and has strong ties with the Union.
It also has a 'special relationship' with the UK, with some British MPs keen to play down the country's human rights abuses and play up its vast energy reserves. It also has a 'special relationship' with the UK, with some British MPs keen to play down the country's human rights abuses and play up its vast energy reserves.
Azerbijan takes part in Eurovision, but last year the country was accused of trying to buy votes after their entrant, Farid Mammadov, was unexpectedly voted into second place. This may remind you of the kind of lobbying and backroom-dealing some see as synonymous with the EU. If so, you'd better vote for them. Unless you've been bribed to do so already. In which case, carry on. Azerbijan takes part in Eurovision, but last year the country was accused of trying to buy votes after their entrant, Farid Mammadov, was unexpectedly voted into second place. This may remind you of the kind of lobbying and backroom-dealing some see as synonymous with the EU. If so, you'd better vote for them. Unless you've been bribed to do so already. In which case, carry on.
Eurosceptic score: 7/10Eurosceptic score: 7/10
Sebalter, SwitzerlandSebalter, Switzerland
Switzerland is another non-EU member, so you can vote for their song safe in the knowledge that you're not tacitly advocating a European superstate. What's more, the Swiss recently irked the EU by introducing immigration controls, border-protecting heroes that they are.Switzerland is another non-EU member, so you can vote for their song safe in the knowledge that you're not tacitly advocating a European superstate. What's more, the Swiss recently irked the EU by introducing immigration controls, border-protecting heroes that they are.
This year's Eurovision entry, by the often-whistling Sebalter (Twitter bio: 'Folk Musician, Eurovision Participant, Lawyer), is called Hunter of Stars. I don't know about you, but to me that sounds symptomatic of a subconscious desire to tear up the EU flag. This year's Eurovision entry, by the often-whistling Sebalter (Twitter bio: 'Folk Musician, Eurovision Participant, Lawyer), is called Hunter of Stars. I don't know about you, but to me that sounds symptomatic of a subconscious desire to tear up the EU flag.
I think we have a winner.I think we have a winner.
Eurosceptic score: 10/10Eurosceptic score: 10/10