WITH the European Referendum debate hotting up and many people still undecided on how to vote Warrington blogger Dan Warren has looked at 10 reasons for remaining and 10 reasons for leaving Europe.
Dan, who is an active member of the #LoveWarrington group and also a member of the town’s Civic Society said: “I know there has been many points shared on both sides of the campaign, but these are the strongest points I feel should be considered for remaining in the EU:
1.In regards to economic stability almost 9 out of 10 economists working across business, the city, academia and industry believe our economy will be halved during Brexit in a recent survey; http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/28/economists-reject-brexit-boost-cameron
2.The EU directly pays for much UK science research and innovation; with scientists agreeing that because of funding being a low priority from the UK government the loss of this money would be a disaster, and science works without borders to share expertise; http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2015/may/13/eu-science-funding-the-uk-cannot-afford-to-lose-out-on-this-pot-of-money
3.EU laws help us protect Britain’s environment and wildlife, and the RSPB and the World Wildlife Fund UK say they believe that staying in the EU would be the safer option for Britain; http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/eu-referendum-wildlife-groups-rspb-wwf-uk-back-remain-a7060231.html
4.The EU negotiates trade agreements together with the world. If leaving the EU Britain would have to renegotiate trade deals alone with the UK becoming a lower priority for other counties to negotiate a new trade deal;http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/26/the-truth-about-britains-trade-outside-the-european-union/
5.Over 1.3 million British citizens live throughout the rest if the EU in countries like France and Spain, just as EU citizens have moved here; http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/18/eu-facts-what-would-leaving-the-eu-mean-for-expats/ There are also thousands of UK students studying in Europe and easy travel without a visa is available.
6.The EU has helped secure peace in Western Europe and now into Eastern Europe, with the 70 years of peace since the end of the Second World War can be seen as resulting from the EU; http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/feb/23/the-eus-part-in-70-years-of-peace-in-europe
7.Equal pay and anti-discrimination rulings are enshrined in EU law, with projections of average weekly wages being £38 lower by 2030 if Britain votes to leave; http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/eu-referendum-brexit-will-cost-workers-38-a-week-in-wages-says-tuc-a7058491.html
8.Cross-border collaboration is essential to effective tackling of crime and terrorism in the UK. To remain safe the sharing of intelligence, pooling of resources and joint working across Europe would be in danger by leaving; http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/02/eu-referendum-uk-exit-bad-for-crime-fighting
9.In EU consumer law is the concept that, generally, a shopper in any member state cannot be charged a higher price when buying products or services owing to their nationality or country of residence; http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35843016 This has been shown with lower mobile phone roaming charges, lower credit card fees, cheaper flights and proper compensation when flights are delayed or cancelled from being an EU member.
10.Final point is a vote to leave would mean these 10 figures in Business, Science and Entertainment are wrong; Lord Alan Sugar, Professor Stephen Hawking, Emma Thompson, Sir Richard Branson, Eddie Izzard, Karren Brady, Sir Patrick Stewart, Helena Bonham Carter, Mark Carney & Danny Boyle.
Dan added: “Here are 10 counter arguments for why the UK should leave:
1.The EU undermines British democracy because the European Parliament makes laws on an EU-wide basis, and by leaving we would be free to govern ourselves; http://www.dailyreckoning.co.uk/economy/the-eu-undermines-britains-democracy/
2.Leaving the EU will not stop the UK from trading with Europe, as Britain would be legally entitled to use existing trade deals worth billions of pounds even if leaving the European Union; http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/674792/proof-Britain-will-not-lose-trade-deals-leave-EU-Chancellor-George-Osborne
3.Despite warnings, Brexit from the EU would be a slow, gradual process that minimises turmoil in new deals but eventually offers us new opportunities; http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/12180466/Leaving-the-EU-wont-actually-change-Britain-much-at-first-anyway.html
4.The EU is wasteful as it hands out money to member states faster than they can spend it, and on innapropriate projects; http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/11985763/Fraud-allegations-and-waste-as-EU-hands-out-money-faster-than-states-can-spend-it.html
5.The EU is not transparent in regard to laws being discussed and drafted in informal meetings, with secret TTIP negotiations taking place recently; http://www.nakedpolitics.co.uk/home/the-beast-below-the-eu-ttip-why-you-should-be-worried
6.The UK does not need the EU to be relevant on the world stage, as we are one of only 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council, a member of the powerful military alliance NATO, and we are key players in the IMF and the World Bank; http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32317703
7.Britain will only have a fair, controlled immigration policy outside of the EU, because of the free movement of people; http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/03/eu-debate-michael-gove-faces-biggest-test-of-campaign-as-he-take1/
8.NATO which the UK is a prominent member, is more important for Europe wide peace than the EU; http://www.spectator.co.uk/2016/05/look-beyond-the-eu-we-need-to-talk-about-nato/
9.The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for farming is seen as hugely wasteful, and helps the rich get richer; http://www.debatingeurope.eu/focus/arguments-for-and-against-the-common-agricultural-policy/#.V1LEdfkrLIU
10.Finally 10 prominent leave campaigners who say remaining is the wrong decision are Sir Michael Caine, Duncan Bannatyne, Sir Ian Botham, Sol Campbell, Julian Fellowes, Katie Hopkins, Roger Daltry, Boris Johnson, Michael Gove & Nigel Farage.
