The European Union: in or out?

The Conservative Party, promised in their election manifesto to hold a referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EU or not. This is a pressing issue, particularly with the growing popularity of UKIP who are greatly in favour of exiting the EU, achieving just fewer than 4 million votes in May, although they returned one MP to Westminster.

Before the end of 2017 the people of the UK will have to decide whether the UK stays in the EU, the arguments raised by those who support staying point to the economic benefits of EU membership, alongside the freedom of movement between EU member states. Furthermore it is said an exiting negotiation would be aggressive and it is likely the near 1 million Britons living abroad would be forced to return to the UK, causing a housing crisis.

The arguments raised by those who want the UK to leave would point to the heavily restricted immigration that would come into place, removing any EU immigrants and allowing the jobs they held to be held by Britons instead. It is also said vast amounts of money would be said as membership would no longer be paid, this money could be put towards more pressing matters. The UK’s democracy would be strengthened too as the EU pooled sovereignty would be returned to it, allowing greater accountability of government to the British people.

Though not always the case with regard to decision making in a representative democracy, the power is truly in the people’s hands with this decision. It is up to the people to choose, but careful consideration must be given as whatever decision is reached there will be serious ramifications.