Strong opinions aired in EU referendum debate

THE economy and farming policy got people fired up at a debate on the EU Referendum.

Around 60 people attended the debate hosted by the Hope in North East Cheshire group at Macclesfield Methodist church with a panel of representatives both for and against Britain leaving the EU.

Panel members for remaining in the EU were Karen Bradley, MP for Staffordshire Moorlands and Elizabeth Jewkes, chairman of the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum. Tony Homewood, Conservative party member and consultant for the Leave campaign and UKIP member Jacqueline Smith spoke for leaving the EU.

Rev Marion Tugwood chaired the meeting and took questions from people as they arrived. The questions were put to the panel and there were comments from the floor.

Rev Tugwood said: “It was a heated debate. Things got very lively and I had to keep a tight control of the debate. The key topics were the economy and agricultural policy, and concerns about education from young people.

“Some came with their minds made up but some came for information. It’s such important topic so we felt we should have an open forum for residents to hear both sides.”