Yesterday David Cameron addressed the Commons hoping to persuade MPs in all parties to support his new deal for the UK in the European Union. We all know where our Prime Minister stands and if you have been following the news you also know where Boris Johnson stands, but what about our very own MPs?
Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas, Hove and Portslade MP Peter Kyle and Kemptown and Peachaven MP Simon Kirby are all campaigning that the UK should stay in the European Union. All three MPs are from different parties, Green, Labour and Conservative respectively. The conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham Tim Loughton, however, is campaigning for Britain to leave the EU.

Caroline Lucas is a board member of Stronger In and a supporter of Another Europe is Possible. She said “No longer can this debate be dominated by men in grey suits shouting at each other. The ‘In’ side have the evidence on our side – we know working with our neighbours on the challenges we face is better than going it alone. For the sake of protecting our environment, safeguarding our hard won rights at work and meeting head on the international challenges of the twenty first century I believe that Britain’s future is in the EU”.

Peter Kyle has announced that he is leading the south-east IN campaign, and declared in a statement “a vote to remain in the EU is a vote to change it for the better. The biggest challenges we face as a country – migration, energy security, global warming, terrorism and security, and economic instability – can only be solved by strong international cooperation. Acting alone, Britain will be a diminished voice and that means we will be more vulnerable to global uncertainties, more affected by decisions made by other countries, and less able to influence decisions based on our values and experiences.”

Simon Kirby has said “I have always said that there are strong arguments on both sides and that I would wait to see the result of the Prime Minister’s negotiations before making a decision. I have listened carefully to local residents in Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven as well as my colleagues in Parliament. Following the recent negotiations, I feel that even though there is more work to be done, Britain will be safer and stronger in a reformed European Union. This is not a decision that I have taken lightly but progress has been made and I will therefore be supporting the Prime Mnister in his recommendation to “remain””.

Tim Loughton, who supports Britain leaving the EU, said “for the past few months many of you have asked repeatedly how I will vote in the EU referendum. My response enigmatically perhaps, but accurately, has been ‘hopefully to remain but probably to leave’. Having reserved my counsel until the details of what we will actually be voting on have been made clear, my ‘status’ has now changed to ‘regretfully not to remain, definitely to leave’”.
The EU referendum will be held on 23rd June.
Holly Martin