We have been given a chance to decide whether the UK should stay in the European Union or not.  At first glance, this sounds wonderful.  After all, it's important to have a say in a major decision that could affect the future of Britain. 
However, after analysis, it becomes difficult to understand the rationale for allowing us to decide.  It's quite difficult to vote to leave when the elected government is so desperately against it.  In their campaign, David Cameron and George Osborne have taken every opportunity to scare people into believing that leaving the EU would result in chaos and economic disaster.
Electorates elect their representatives and trust them to make good decisions.  It is therefore reasonable to ask the Prime Minister if leaving the EU is such a disaster;  why allow people to have a choice in the matter?  It's ironic that the UK Government makes important decisions that affect the future of its people on a regular basis, so why should the decision to stay in the European Union be any different?
The explanation could be simple.  The Prime Minister is a shrewd politician.  He knows how to play the game and take advantage of every situation.  He cleverly included the promise of the EU referendum in his manifesto, enabling him to make peace with members of his party who never accepted being part of the EU.  The appearance of a united party helped him - against all odds - to win the general election with an absolute majority.
It was also a clever way for David Cameron to increase his popularity. Threatening his counterparts in Europe with the possibility of leaving has forced small concessions out of them. This has shown him as a competent international negotiator. 
Whatever the reason for the referendum, it's clear that neither the government nor any one else has any idea of what to expect if people decide that Britain should leave the EU.  It is therefore utterly irresponsible to give people an option to gamble with the future prosperity of their country. 
Whatever the result, the important question is whether people should ever trust a Prime Minster who is asking them to decide their future by throwing the dice.  Perhaps he has never heard the expression "there is but one good throw upon the dice, which is, to throw them away".