Why I’m Endorsing a ‘Remain’ Vote

By: Oliver Kendall, Student Voices Writer

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Source: Reuters (Via theworldly.co.uk)

By no means is the European Union perfect, in fact, it is far from it. However, on the grand scale, I believe it is in Britain’s National interest that we stay in the European Union, as the many huge benefits outweigh the few drawbacks.

This does not change the fact that I believe that the EU needs radical reform – it does. The many reforms required for a fully successful and cohesive EU were not achieved by the Prime Minister during his renegotiations.

The view that I held before the renegotiations was that reforms were needed before, during & after the referendum. That is the view I still hold. For example, I believe that the EU needs to show more transparency. Also, I strongly feel that the EU didn’t take enough action on the refugee crisis. It had and still has a responsibility to help protect vulnerable people (mainly women & children) from the dangers of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

I have many reasons for backing a remain vote, most of which are below.

First and foremost is job security:

Around 3.5 Million jobs (1 in 10) are directly linked to the UK’s membership of the EU. 

Withdrawing from the EU would see most of these jobs gone, leaving unemployment at huge levels. Welfare would be more prominent as a result, only increasing the cost for the tax payer (far more than the EU costs).

Another reason is the case for exports and inward investment:

The EU and Single Market countries buy well over half of UK exports (54% of goods & 40% of services). Over 300,000 British companies and 74% of British exporters operate in other EU markets.

Britain being in the EU & the Single Market is hugely important and a large contributing factor to American & Asian EU firms building factories in the EU. An example of this is a Haribo factory in West Yorkshire – without the EU the factory would close resulting in many job losses.

Being in the EU is vital for trade. The EU negotiates trade deals with the rest of the world. Outside the EU, Britain would have to make their own trade deals. Even though the EU is the largest market, a UK outside of it would not be a high priority for other countries to negotiate a trade deal.

EU Law requires Equal Pay:

Equal Pay for both men and women is embedded in EU law. Whilst we are in the EU, this Tory government cannot try to change this, and therefore, being in the EU helps workers. EU law states that an employer cannot discriminate against workers when they apply for a job on the grounds of their race, sexuality, ethnicity or gender. Put simply, the EU helps women and many minorities.

We are better in the EU for Peace & Democracy:

The EU plays a large part in peace and democracy internationally. It has helped to secure peace among EU nations previously at war. It has also helped to consolidate democracy in countries such as Spain, Portugal & Greece – with the UN, it plays a vital part in conflict prevention, peace keeping and democracy building.

Freedom to Study, Travel & Work in the EU:

As a future university student, I often think about studying abroad in EU countries like Italy, France, Spain or even Germany. Thanks to the EU, I can. Being in the EU means freedom to travel, work and study in other EU countries. This allows students, and people of any other age to travel across Europe, immersing themselves in new cultures, and allows foreigners to live, work & study here.

EU Research Funding:

The UK is the second largest beneficiary of EU research funds, and the government expects funding to continue in the future. The funding contributes to a vital source of income for our world leading universities and companies. Without the funding, our companies and universities would struggle on the world stage.

So this is why I am endorsing a vote to remain in the EU. The EU gives us freedom to work, study and live in fellow EU Member States, it gives us funding for our universities. It helps us to fight crime and serve justice to those who break our laws. But most importantly, it brings together the people of 28 countries into one union. We have benefitted from the EU in the past and we will benefit from the EU in the future!