Kentish Express Ashford & District
Links with Europe are essential for us, says MP
Shoppers in Ashford showed their support for the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign at the weekend.
Borough councillor Graham Galpin said hundreds of people signed a petition calling for the UK to remain a part of the EU.
Cllr Galpin, ward member for Stour, was joined by Ashford MP Damian Green and Conservative borough councillors Marion Martin and Jane Martin at the stand in the High Street on Saturday.
Mr Green has confirmed his place in the ‘In’ camp, saying we are “stronger, safer and richer” as part of the EU.
Speaking about the Prime Minister’s deal which was negotiated in Brussells last week, the MP added: “Now we have a good reform deal we must make the long-term arguments for staying in.”
Cllr Galpin (Con) agreed: “I think the deal is far better than I could have dreamed of. It’s changing the EU for the better.”
The package that David Cam- eron agreed would take effect immediately if the UK voted to remain in the EU.
The changes include recalculations of migrants’ child benefit payments, as well as limiting the in-work benefits for EU migrants during their first four years in the UK, and protection for the City of London and preventing eurozone regulations being imposed on it.
The prime minister also announced that a June referendum asking the British public if they want to stay in the EU.
Cllr Galpin said remaining in the EU was the best option for the UK as it would protect jobs, defend our borders and save every household money.
He said he was pleased with the support they received on Saturday: “We got a lot of strong responses from the public. We got a couple of hundred signatures.”
Mr Green added: “I was delighted at the response we received. Many people asked for more information about Europe and the referendum and were very aware of how essential our links with Europe are for Ashford.”