Lichfield MP says he hopes a debate on Britain’s future membership of the EU in Lichfield Cathedral will help local residents make a more informed decision.
The event on June 3 will come ahead of the EU referendum. It will see Stoke-on-Trent MP Tristram Hunt and local Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Ray argue the case for remaining part of the European Union, while Michael Fabricant MP and economist Mike Horridge will put the case forward for voting out.
“Much has been published by the Government and other ‘Remain’ campaigners all warning of dire consequences if we leave the EU,” said Mr Fabricant. “The truth is that there are few ‘facts’ available when it comes to the future, but this debate will provide the opportunity for the audience to find out more and make their own judgement.
“After we have all spoken, the audience in the cathedral will be able to put questions.
“No-one can predict the future with regard to what might happen if we remain or leave the EU, but I can predict it will be an informative and fun debate.”
The event – chaired by the Dean of Lichfield – starts at 7.30pm on June 3.
Cllr Paul Ray will be seeking for the Remain side and I hope that it will, genuinely, be an open and informative debate.
Nobody will be able to make an informed decision, partly because almost no-one is interested in trying to inform, and partly because the effects of either decision are pure guesswork.
The world is an ‘orrible place, it is going to get ‘orribler. You have to ask yourself do you think it will become ‘orribler more quickly if we remain or if we leave.
The answer to that question can only be that you have absolutely no idea.
So the only cause of action left is to vote based on how much you are scared of foreigners versus how much you are scared of change.
Chris, I don’t think they are the choices at all. We are faced with a clear choice of going it alone, where we have no influence other than what we can brocure with single negotiations. We may be two generations removed from the Europe that existed before 1948 but exactly what has changed? One change was the EEC, which brought us together as traders and not competitors. Personally I don’t want to risk a return to age of nationalism when it was self interest that dictated our policy. I have a lot in common with Greeks, Spaniards and Swedes etc. Many of us have a common history and culture. If we don’t know the arguments for, then that’s our fault. Read the wealth of books on the subject and don’t expect a politician to tell you what to think.
But you, nor anyone else, can say if the country will be better off in our out. In there are some knowns, out there are mostly unknowns. You cannot compare something you don’t know.
I firmly believe that myself, the UK, Europe, and some of the rest of the world will be far worse off should we leave the EU. But I do not know, and nor does anyone else.
A brave new world outside may all be milk and honey, but I don’t want to take that risk. I’m going to vote to remain for fear of change making things worse.
The Tories never do anything unless it benefits them or their friends.
Think about that.
We’re only having this referendum because Dave hoped it would prevent the Tory party ripping itself apart. The future of the country gambled on trying to heal a rift in his own party.
Chris, you were comparing! Read your last sentence of your first post. What do we know? What did we know on the eve of 2015 election? We know very little, thats the problem with it being in the future! Bit of a none stance IMHO.
Darryl – “The Tories never do anything unless it benefits them or their friends. Think about that.”
The difficulty with taking any meaning from that statement is that the Tories are split on whether to stay in or out. It just depends which Tory you ask.