19 June 2016
Around 130 people packed into the Assembly Rooms in Frome on Wednesday evening to take part in the EU referendum debate 'European Union: Leave or Remain?'
The speakers, both Members of the European Parliament for the South West, represented both sides of the referendum question: Dr Molly Scott Cato of the Green Party is an economist and writer who leads the South West Greener In campaign, while UKIP's Dr Julia Reid is a research biochemist and a longstanding opponent of the EU and its predecessors.
The debate consisted of questions from members of the public, emailed in before the event or asked by audience members on the night, and ranged across many topics, from the EU's relevance to the environment and fracking, to the financial costs and benefits of EU membership, to immigration, housing and employment rights.
Dr Reid outlined the Leave campaign's view that the EU is a net financial drain on the UK, and that leaving would free UK businesses from red tape, and allow the UK to take back control of areas currently regulated by the EU.
Dr Scott Cato put the Remain case, arguing that the EU has promoted peace in Europe since its formation, that it offers 'shared power' rather than loss of sovereignty, and that it provides us with powerful protections for our environment and rights.
There were many contributions from the mixed audience of Remainers, Leavers and Undecideds, with some expressing frustration at the difficulty of verifying factual claims made by the main campaigns, or at the lack of detail or context in those claims.
The event was independently chaired by Lisa Millard, Assistant Principal at Frome College, and was recorded by Frome FM for later broadcast.
Speaking for event organisers East Mendip Green Party, Emma Russell said, "While we as a party are campaigning for Remain, we thought it was important that people in Frome should have a chance to hear both sides of the debate, and from their own representatives in the EU - the national media coverage has all been about Westminster MPs, with Members of the European Parliament virtually invisible! It's true that it can be difficult finding solid facts in this campaign - Molly mentioned the EU Referendum: Reality Check area on the BBC News website, and this is well worth checking out. We're thrilled that so many people joined us for a political meeting on a wet summer evening, and we hope it has encouraged those who attended to get out and vote on Thursday."
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