UPDATED: An EU referendum debate is to be held on Friday (1st April) at the Anthony Minghella Theatre, Quay Arts in Newport from 18:30.
This public debate will be a free event for all Islanders. Tickets will not be required, although seats can be reserved on a first-come, first served basis, due to limited seating in the theatre.
In January this year, all Island political parties were invited by UKIP parliamentary candidate Iain McKie to participate in a public debate on the EU referendum. At the current time, only the Isle of Wight Green Party has responded positively to this challenge. The Green Party now issues an open invitation to ‘Brexit’ campaigners to nominate their speaker for the debate in Newport on the 1st April.
Keith Taylor, Green Party MEP for the South East constituency which includes the Isle of Wight, will present the case that Islanders should vote to remain in the European Union. He commented:
“Britain is far better off in the EU, working with our neighbours on the shared challenges we face. The Government continues to drop some heavy hints about what would happen if we quit. The Chancellor believes the EU nature laws place ‘ridiculous costs’ on British firms and has just delivered a Budget promising to lock Britain into fossil fuel dependency, while Ministers are trying their best to water down air pollution rules. Most worryingly of all, the Government continues stripping away support for clean energy and renewable technology.”
To reserve a seat for the debate, email [email protected].
UPDATE TUESDAY: The Isle of Wight branch of the national cross-party Grassroots Out campaign has responded to the EU debate challenge.
Ryde businessman Ian Brown, chairman and spokesman for Grassroots Out on the Island, will debate with Green Party MEP Keith Taylor.
Photographed L-R: Green party deputy leader Michael Lilley, leader Natalie Bennett and MEP Keith Taylor
