EMMA LEWELL-BUCK: We are better off as part of the EU

I will be voting to remain in the European Union not just because the North East benefits economically with 160,000 jobs reliant on our trade with the EU, but because I am from a generation that has grown up as Europeans.

In that time we have had peace between member states; we have seen workers’ rights transformed for the better and our region has received billions of pounds of investment from the EU over decades with a further £800 million to come to the North East over the next five years.

Being a member state helps our region’s businesses to trade and therefore grow. If we left the single market this would jeopardise the future of our hard working people with businesses such as Nissan having already said that they decided to locate to the UK because of our membership of the European Union.

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Leaving risks investors taking their businesses and jobs elsewhere.

We are a proud trading nation with almost half of our exports going to EU countries which was worth £227 billion to the UK economy last year, we receive £26.5 billion of investment every year from other member states and it has been estimated that future trade could create 790,000 more jobs by 2030 in the digital services, energy and tourism markets.

Because Europe is central to jobs and prosperity, Britain needs a strong voice at the top table which decides the rules on everything from free trade to fishing. Of course the EU needs reform, but we need to make sure it is reformed so that it works for us and that means staying in to make certain that we have that voice and are not mere spectators without any influence.

If we leave the Union, Britain will still have to follow its rules when we do business there but we won’t have any say in making the rules anymore.

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The EU has been integral in helping to keep the peace in Europe since its inception where member states agree to adhere to common values and respect each other’s borders. At a time of instability in the Ukraine and the Middle East, it is important to be part of a group of nations that are committed to peace, security and democracy.

Many of the problems that Britain faces today affect other countries too whether that be climate change, terrorism or cross-border crime. Surely we are better off working together with our neighbours to solve these pressing problems rather than pulling out of the EU and weakening our country.

The Conservatives are tearing themselves apart over Europe with the debate being all about Boris Johnson. People in the North East are not interested in his ambitions to become Prime Minister but we are interested in having our say on the future of our relationship with our friends in Europe.

While I agree that reform is needed, such as the removal of the second seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, I believe that much needed reforms can only be negotiated from within the union and not as a spectator from the outside.

There is no doubt that Britain is better off in Europe. It brings us jobs, growth and investment, protects British workers and consumers and keeps us safe. Leaving would put all that at risk.