News| Elections 2016


downsmail.co.uk Brexit or beer together?


VOTERS will go to the polls on Thursday, June 23, to decide whether Britain should leave or re- main in the European Union. Now you have a chance to take


“Remain” supporter Helen


part in an eve-of-poll opinion sur- vey as the countdown begins in earnest. Simply cut out the coupon on this


page or go online to tell us if you are ready to “leave” or “remain” in the EU. Perhaps you are not yet sure. The forthcoming referendum will


be the first opportunity for the British people to register their views on subject since 1975. But the EU has changed a lot in


the 40 years since that referendum vote to stay in. And now the argu- ments rage about whether Britain will be stronger or weaker if it leaves the union, involving 28 Eu- ropean countries, or opts to remain. Many people already have strong


views about how they will place their X, but opinion polls indicate that the decision could ultimately rest with the third of voters who are still undecided.Onthis pagewe have tried to garner the views of local community figures, including the four Tory MPs in the Downs


Grant, MP for Maidstone and the Weald, said: “Leaving the EU will disconnect us and set Britain adrift in a very stormy ocean. Britain is stronger, safer and better-off re- maining in the EU. “Stronger be- cause we can play a leading role in one of the world’s largest organisa- tions from within, helping make the big decisions that affect our fu- ture.”


Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch, who has been on maternity leave following the birth of her son, Freddie, is yet to declare her choice.


See comment & letters, pages 30 and 31


Mail distribution area. Tonbridge MPTom Tughendhat


told us: “I cannot, in all conscience, follow my heart and not my head when to do so would, I believe, di- minish our security.” Faversham and Mid-Kent MP


Helen Whately remains undecided. She said: “There are definite


downsides to going it alone, not least great uncertainty. Many of the farmers I represent are seriously worried about the future of the UK agriculture outside the EU. “This is not a decision to be made on in- stinct, but through a serious con- sideration of the potential outcomes of either choice.”


Have your say


TO gauge what Downs Mail read- ers think, we are inviting you to complete the simple coupon on this page and send it in. Or you can go online to www.downsmail.co.uk/views


Seeing it from both sides


A referendum is being held on Thursday, June 23, to decide


whether Britain should leave or remain in the European Union.


To gauge the views of Downs Mail readers, we are carrying out our own eve-of-poll survey.


I will vote to: Leave 


Remain  Not sure 


Send your coupon to The Editor, Downs Mail, Mail Publications, 2 Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Bearsted,


Maidstone ME14 4DT by June 15 24 Malling June 2016


IN MAIDSTONE, opinion is as divided as in the rest of the country. David Thornewell who is a passionate pro-European, and Eddie Pow- ell, from UKIP, explain their views...


Eddie Powell Harrietsham


I HAVE struggled with the concept of the EU for many years and its dicta- torial approach to member countries. If we vote to leave the EU and stop sending £350m plus per week to the European Union we can spend our money on priorities like the NHS. EU immigration puts pressure on the NHS and it will get worse if we stay in. Countries including Serbia, Albania and Turkey are ready to join the EU and they in turn will have free access of movement and thus use of member state resources. The EU wants to take control of the NHS. The European Commis- sion has said we should manage health issues at EU level and the se- cret TTIP trade deal will let big US companies buy up parts of our NHS. EU regulations like the clinical tri- als directive are making it harder to introduce life-saving drugs. I believe if we vote to stay in the EU our NHS, which has an amazing reputation, will be in danger. Lets vote to get out of the EU and spend our money on our priorities and health should always be first.


David Thornewell East Malling


I SHALL be vot- ing to stay in the EU. It is impossi- ble to forecast what would hap- pen economically if we left. Many who want to leave would seek a similar arrangement to our present trade deals, but without the bits they don’t like. If we stay in we can address the issues which do not recognise na- tional borders and which need joint action, such as climate change. Many who want to leave do not accept climate change as a fact. Oth- ers oppose wind farms and solar energy, which I feel are needed. Europe helped introduce envi- ronmental assessment for major projects such as cleaner air and beaches, now our rivers. It also strengthened wildlife protection. Those who argue that employ- ment rights are stronger because of our EU membership are correct. Human rights are not directly the result of the EU as the convention is a separate document and will still apply to us. In an uncertain world, we’re better co-operating with our European neighbours.


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