This Council notes that that the Prime Minister has announced the Government's intention to hold a referendum on the UK’s continued membership of the European Union on Thursday 23rd June of this year.
Medway Council supports the United Kingdom’s continued membership of a reformed European Union; a union which has brought peace and prosperity to Europe since the end of the Second World War
Therefore, this Council requests the Leader and the Chief Executive of the Council write to the Prime Minister to give the support of Medway Council to achieving his objective of remaining within the European Union as:
(i) Jobs in Medway are more secure with Britain remaining part of Europe – the biggest trading market in the world – a vote to leave the EU could result in the loss of over 7,000 jobs in Medway;
(ii) Prices are lower than they would be if we were outside Europe – meaning households in Medway save on average £450 a year;
(iii) Our police can make our streets safer by being part of a wider European arrest warrant scheme that tackles cross border crime;
(iv) Medway’s four universities, the University of Kent, the University of Greenwich, Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Creative Arts, would suffer immeasurably if the UK were to withdraw from the EU.
Minutes:
“This Council notes that that the Prime Minister has announced the Government's intention to hold a referendum on the UK’s continued membership of the European Union on Thursday 23rd June of this year.
Medway Council supports the United Kingdom’s continued membership of a reformed European Union; a union which has brought peace and prosperity to Europe since the end of the Second World War
Therefore, this Council requests the Leader and the Chief Executive of the Council write to the Prime Minister to give the support of Medway Council to achieving his objective of remaining within the European Union as:
(i) Jobs in Medway are more secure with Britain remaining part of Europe – the biggest trading market in the world – a vote to leave the EU could result in the loss of over 7,000 jobs in Medway;
(ii) Prices are lower than they would be if we were outside Europe – meaning households in Medway save on average £450 a year;
(iii) Our police can make our streets safer by being part of a wider European arrest warrant scheme that tackles cross border crime;
(iv) Medway’s four universities, the University of Kent, the University of Greenwich, Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Creative Arts, would suffer immeasurably if the UK were to withdraw from the EU”.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jarrett, supported by the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe, proposed the following amendment:
“Delete all text after the first paragraph and substitute said text for the 2nd and 3rd paragraphs below.
This Council notes that that the Prime Minister has announced the Government's intention to hold a referendum on the UK’s continued membership of the European Union on Thursday 23rd June of this year.
This Council supports the right for every eligible citizen to have their own view and to vote accordingly.
This Council does not believe it is appropriate for the Council to give its support to either side, but encourages all residents to get involved in the debate, learn as much as they can about the issues and to vote from an informed perspective.”
In accordance with Rule 12.4 of the Council Rules, a recorded vote on the amendment was taken.
For – Councillors Avey, Bhutia, Brake, Carr, Chishti, Chitty, Clarke, Doe, Etheridge, Fearn, Filmer, Franklin, Griffin, Gulvin, Hall, Iles, Jarrett, Joy, The Worshipful The Mayor of Medway, Councillor Kemp, Mackness, Opara, Potter, Royle, Saroy, Tejan, Tolhurst, Tranter, Turpin, Wicks, Wildey and Williams (31)
Against – Councillors Brown-Reckless, Cooper, Craven, Freshwater, Gilry, Godwin, Griffiths, Johnson, Khan, Maple, Murray, Pendergast, Price, Shaw and Stamp (15).
Abstain – Councillors Howard and McDonald (2)
The amendment was carried and became the substantive motion.
Councillor Freshwater, supported by Councillor Brown-Reckless, proposed the following amendment:
“Delete everything after
paragraph 1 and insert:-
Medway Council does not support the United Kingdom’s continued membership of the European Union.
The Council requests the Leader and the Chief Executive of the Council to write to the Prime Minister to give the support of Medway Council, unreservedly, for leaving the European Union because:
We, the elected Members of Medway Council demand to be in control of our own destiny and reclaim British sovereignty. We refuse to let 27 other EU countries gang up together to make the lives of Medway residents and the people in Britain far worse. We know from the threats of France about 'consequences' and there will be a price to pay to leave the EU. But we also know if we stay in the EU they will make Britain pay the same or higher price later anyway and it will be worse as the EU will have total control of our lives under the flag of the United States of Europe.
This Council believes that residents of Medway should vote to leave the European Union because:
Unlike Medway Council democratic system, Medway residents cannot sack the unelected and privileged EU Commissions from 27 foreign countries who have majority votes and therefore controlling UK lives behind closed doors through EU laws and regulations. The Prime Minister failed to get any meaningful changes through recent negotiations with the EU.
EU decisions being made behind closed doors are controlled by big EU businesses to provide cheap labour for EU businesses . EU Commissioners will continue to gang up together and 'horse trade' decisions affecting British lives, which are not in the best interests of hardworking British people or Medway residents.
The housing crisis in Medway has been caused by the EU forcing the UK to accept unlimited migration and 8 million net people from the EU and elsewhere have been squashed into our communities, making Medway and British lives worse. No explanation has been given to the residents of Medway on the advantages of mass migration or having no border controls. Another 3 million people, equivalent to building a new town the size of Coventry or Aberdeen each year, will be arriving over the next 10 years needing homes and jobs and will also be squashed into our communities.
Medway residents are also worried about housing, jobs and public services when the following countries with populations shown are currently preparing to join the EU. Turkey 77 Million, Serbia 7 Million, Macedonia 2 Million, Montenegro 1 Million, Albania 3 Million.
When we leave the EU the £55 million a day membership fee can be spent on homes NHS, GP surgeries, roads, universities , police, public services and jobs. EU exit will make British households £933 richer because of lower taxes, cheaper food and clothes - these are just some of the benefits of life outside the EU.
Free trade agreements would greatly benefit Medway residents by leaving the EU. A free trade agreement with all countries of the world will increase jobs, careers and salaries. Such agreements are currently held back by tariffs set up behind closed doors to protect big EU business and farms. The EU political experiment is failing because it is rooted in the past and incapable of reforming to meet new world and big global trading opportunities. This is the reason why 19 million Europeans are unemployed”.
Councillor Godwin, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gulvin, proposed that the vote be taken in accordance with Council Rule 11.6.2. This was agreed.
On being put to the vote, the amendment was lost.
Decision:
This Council notes that that the Prime Minister has announced the Government's intention to hold a referendum on the UK’s continued membership of the European Union on Thursday 23rd June of this year.
This Council supports the right for every eligible citizen to have their own view and to vote accordingly.
This Council does not believe it is appropriate for the Council to give its support to either side, but encourages all residents to get involved in the debate, learn as much as they can about the issues and to vote from an informed perspective.