My view on the Referendum vote

As a lifelong Pro – European, I welcome the opportunity to add my voice to the case for staying in the European Union. The current debate is overwhelmingly concentrated on two issues; the effect on the economy and immigration.

The thrust of the Leave argument appears to be that a period of economic hardship is a price worth paying for control of immigration. But we have to question whether Brexit would really deliver any significant reduction. Yes, we could cut migration from the EU, but more than half of migrants come from countries outside the Union.

A key plank of their economic argument is that we could replace the lost trade with Europe with increased exports to the growing economies of China and India. Do they seriously think that we could negotiate favourable trade terms with the two most populous countries on the planet without having to allow more of their citizens to come here?

I would like to broaden the debate, and consider some of the benefits we get from our membership.

Our environment is cleaner. Vehicle pollution levels are more rigorously controlled (notwithstanding the efforts of car manufacturers to circumvent them). Regulation has given us sea water fit to bathe in, controls on pesticides, asbestos, nitrate contamination, and action on many other environmental issues. Governments of any persuasion would not have brought in legislation in these areas without external pressure.

Our workers are better protected. Left to itself, the UK tends to adopt a US style hire and fire culture, zero hour's contracts being the most recent example. As a result of EU membership we have a range of statutory employments rights including annual paid holidays, parental leave and equal treatment rights for part time and agency workers.

We should view migrants as a benefit, not a threat. As a group they put in more than they take out. To argue that they overwhelm our infrastructure is to miss the point. Their net contribution is more than enough to pay for the extra schools and hospitals that we need.

The very term migrant conjures up a vision of desperate people on the shores of Southern Europe, and does not do justice to their individual diversity. Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, (see photo) was the son of a Syrian migrant, Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank of England, and many of our top sportsmen are migrants. We should acknowledge the benefit they bring to our culture and economy.

I also have a more personal reason for wanting us to stay in. My daughter and family have lived in France for the last 15 years as British Citizens. Last year, my 18 year old grandson suffered severe brain damage in a road accident, but has made incredible progress due to the dedicated work of many healthcare professionals.

There is no guarantee they would continue to be entitled to full access to the French health service if we were no longer part of the European Union.

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