Kentish Express Ashford & District
EuropEan union
The question of whether Britain should seek independence from Europe dominated a portion of the debate.
Gerald O’Brien, candidate for Ukip, which has a clear antiEurope stance, branded the union “anti-democratic.”
He said: “We are losing control of our country. We have unelected people in Brussels that tell us what rules to make 70 or 80% of the time. It is a threat to the British autonomy and British independence.”
Conservative Damian Green even quoted Labour leader Ed Miliband saying “hell yes” the EU needs reform.
He promised voters would get a referendum if the Conservatives win but that he would be campaigning for us to stay in Europe.
In agreement, Mandy Rossi said that while it has “been good to us” the Green party does believe there should be a referendum on EU membership.
She said: “It’s not perfect, I’ll agree with that, which is why it definitely does need reform.”
Labour candidate Brendan Chilton said Ashford relies heavily on Britain’s membership of the EU and to leave would be “ludicrous”.
He said: “I think at some point we are going to need to have a referendum but not right now, we need to focus on jobs, and growth and the economy.”
Liberal Democrat candidate Debbie Enever said if there was a referendum she would be campaigning for Britain to remain in the EU
She said: “We’re definitely better off in.
“Withdrawing would be disastrous for our economy, our jobs depend on it.”