In five weeks’ time, we have arguably what will be the most important vote in the lifetime of most of us. The term ‘once in a lifetime’ is often over-used but when it comes to our referendum on whether to stay or leave the European Union, this is exactly right. This referendum is not an ordinary election where if whoever wins does not perform well, we can make a change next time. This vote is our only opportunity to decide whether we trust the British people to run our country.
Based on recent history, if we vote to stay in the EU, there will not be another vote next year, the next decade or even within the next 40 years. There will not be another vote if Remain wins, this will be it. This vote is our only opportunity to not only free ourselves from the shackles of the European Union, but to actually help reform the EU for the remaining members as the UK leaving the EU will force the EU to fundamentally change so that the EU actually serves its members rather than the current arrangement of its members serving the EU.
I note that now local elections are over, Crawley’s Labour councillors have broken their silence and are now actively campaigning for the Remain campaign, including manning a stand in Queens Square last Saturday. I regard myself as pro-Europe but not pro-EU. They are not the same thing and I believe that all of Europe will be best served by our exiting of the EU.
I will be voting to leave the EU as I believe the advantages of leaving outweigh any disadvantages. I will use a future column to set those out but I do advise people to do their own research from reputable sources and not just listen to the two campaigns. Both sides have made some ridiculous claims and I confirm that Armageddon will not happen by us either leaving or staying in the EU! It will however be in our best interests to leave and I urge Crawley to vote for exactly that.
Councillor Duncan Crow
Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group