This debate is far too important for anger and bluster, far too vital to leave to angry men shouting at each other. If we want our kids to have the world at their feet, then we should vote for a world that is a better place for us being part of Europe
That’s why I serve on an advisory group of five women and five men, chaired by Professor Mona Siddiqui.
And I was pleased to see the launch of Women IN earlier in the year too, arguing for a Remain vote on June 23.
But I read recently that not enough female voices are being heard in the EU referendum debate across the UK and – although I hadn’t noticed until it was pointed out – I think that’s right.
It reminds me of what ’ s happened over the years in financial services where women start out in equal numbers to men but very few make it to the top. When asked why this is, both men and women say it is down to culture.
The alpha- male culture of banking has disenfranchised women by creating a cut and thrust ‘I win-you lose’ environment where success has been measured in short- term profits rather than through social impact and the level of sustainable growth.
That sort of culture led to the financial crisis which had such an impact on our country, our economy and ourselves.
Let ’ s not allow the same destructive behaviour to influence the EU referendum, where rational argument seems too often shouted down by self- interest, fanciful rhetoric and a war of words.
The issue is too important for anger. We need to consider carefully the future we want for our country, for our friends and for our children.
I want our children to enjoy the relative peace that I have experienced during my lifetime.
We watched the World War I commemorations of the battles of Jutland and Verdun only last week and it is too easy to forget that Europeans fought each other in our seas and on our soils so recently. For me, a vote for Europe is a vote for peace.
I want our children to benefit from the prosperity only peace can bring. Our economy is strong because we trade freely with the biggest trading bloc in the world.
Europe gives our businesses free trade with 500million people and brings their business and their money to Scotland and the rest of the UK. Let no one claim that these agreements can be replaced and renegotiated easily.
At best, it would take years. And, during that time, uncertainty about the UK’s future in the world would reduce investment and shrink our growth. For me, a vote for Europe is a vote for continued and stable economic prosperity.
I want our children to live in a world where we are a key voice at the negotiating table. We cannot have inf luence by withdrawing from Europe.
No family is changed by outside voices – only by the inf luence of those within. For me, a vote for Europe is a vote to have a real say.
I want our children to live in a world where all people are treated equally as human beings and welcomed to our country when they are fleeing persecution at home or building a better future for their families.
Our economy doesn’t need to stretch to cope with immigration. Migrants enable our economy to develop and expand. New people create new jobs. New jobs create more wealth. More wealth creates more taxes. More tax creates better services, expanded infrastructure and a more prosperous society. A vote for Europe is, for me, a vote for humanity and a vote for growth. I want our children to live in a world where social justice is as important as economic development. Europe brings with it bureaucracy and red tape. But it has also brought health and safety rules that have saved countless lives.
It has brought working time rules, protecting millions of workers from exploitation. It has introduced maternity and paternity leave that has enabled parents to spend critical time with their children.
I see a vote for Europe as a vote for fairness, for compassion and an opportunity for equality for all.
I want our children to know that we voted for them by being thoughtful about their world and their future.
I want our children to have the world at their feet – with their ability to travel, their education, their experience and their careers all enriched by being Europeans.
For me, a vote for Europe is a vote for a richer, brighter and broader future for all.
The Leave side freely admit they “just don’t know” if we’d need visas to visit Europe if Brexit happens. That’s not good enough.
So I encourage everyone – male and female – to get out and vote on June 23 to make sure that our families get the future they deserve.
Jayne-Anne Gadhia is an Advisory Group Member of Scotland Stronger IN Europe. She is chief executive of Virgin Money in Edinburgh.
A vote for Europe is a vote for fairness, compassion and equality for all