A LARGE section of ‘don’t knows’ swung to the remain camp after at a major debate on the EU referendum held in Southampton.
The European Union: In or Out? was organised by Southampton Solent University and held at the City Art Gallery.
The question time-style event, hosted by broadcaster and journalist Charles Rhodes, featured a panel of five – higher education and policy expert Vivienne Stern; lawyer Amanda Brockwell from Coffin Mew; Hampshire County Councillor and leader of Fareham Borough Council Seán Woodward; Southampton Solent University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin and Naomi Oiku, president of Southampton Solent Students’ Union.
The audience of 130 were equipped with voting handsets and at the start of the debate were asked how they intended to vote on June 23. Before the debate the vote was 51 per cent remain, 22 per cent leave, 21 per cent don’t know, and 6 per cent not voting.
When a second vote was taken at the end of the evening the remain vote had risen to 73 per cent, leave had fallen to 20 per cent, the don’t knows were down to 6 per cent , and just 1 per cent were not voting.
The economy and the impact on business were listed by 46 per cent as their main reason for staying in or out with education and skills opportunities second at 26 per cent ahead of migration and sovereignty.
Asked if Britain, as the world’s fifth largest economy, wouldn’t have just as much influence outside EU as in, Cllr Woodward (a leave supporter) claimed that being tied to 27 other states when negotiating trade deals meant it was impossible to get the best deal for Britain.
“There’s a bigger world out there than just the EU,” he said. “Our trade with EU is dropping year on year. Only six per cent of companies in the UK are exporters yet most are burdened by EU red tape.”
Pro Europe Professor Baldwin said: “Just because we are in a strong position now it doesn’t mean we can afford to cut ourselves off.”
Ms Stern said she feared leaving the EU would seriously hamper trade with our ex-partners who would not take kindly to a Brexit.
“The EU could not afford to give us a good deal,” she said. “If it’s seen that you can have your cake and eat it there will be other countries queuing up to do the same.”
She cited the example of Switzerland’s vote to restrict freedom of movement which had led to the “doors being shut on them” when it came to leading and collaborating with EU members on scientific projects.
Alison Smith- Jane of Ernst and Young asked what the implications of a Brexit would be for SMES (small and medium-sized enterprises).
Amanda Brockwell said that most of her small business clients did not think leaving the EU would make much difference to them but they were worried about the uncertainty which follow a Brexit and the effect this would have on business confidence and investment.
She said she was aware of many deals and schemes which had been put on hold until after the vote.
Ms Brockwell said that she had spoken to some American businessmen who regarded the UK as a launch pad into Europe because of the share language and similar legal system. “If we come out of Europe they have said they will look at investing in Ireland as an alternative.”
Questions on migration and the skill shortage experienced by many companies in the south overlapped during the debate.
Cllr Woodward stressed that British employers should be “fishing in a larger pool” for talent from all over the world not just Europe while being allowed greater control over who was allowed into the country.
The Tory councillor warned against mass migration. “Half a million people come to this country every year and that is two cities the size of Southampton,” he said.
Professor Baldwin warned that uncertainty over Britain’s EU membership had already had a negative impact on application from overseas students to our universities. Overseas students were an important revenue stream for education – which in Southampton was the second largest employer.
Ms Brockwell said that some of her clients were finding it very hard to attract British candidates for some jobs and in the health sector they preferred non-British candidates because they had a “better work ethic”.
Other votes held during the evening:
Do you think leaving the European Union would give Britain more or less control over its own affairs?
• More control - 52 per cent
• Less - 33 per cent
• Don’t know - 44 per cent
Do you feel leaving the EU would personally effect you?
• A lot for the better - 11 per cent
• A lot for the worse - 42 per cent
• Some personal impact - 28 per cent
• Not very much - 16 per cent
• Don’t Know - 3 per cent
How big an issue is migration for you in the EU Referendum?
• Most important - 17 per cent
• One of the issues - 56 per cent
• Not an issue - 27 per cent
Are you worried that a vote to leave the EU might restrict your ability to work or travel in the EU?
• Yes, a lot - 45 per cent
• Some - 31 per cent
• None - 22 per cent
• Don’t Know - 2 per cent
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