Malthouse wrong on Europe
Local MP Kit Malthouse is actively supporting the anti-EU campaign desptite the fact they have yet to produce a coherent argument in favour of leaving the EU.
An out vote offers nothing to the 3 million people whose jobs depend on EU membership. Over half of our trade is with Europe. This cannot be replaced overnight by new deals with other countries, most of whom, like the USA and China, want us to remain in Europe. New trade deals could take 5 - 10 years to agree. Meanwhile the British economy, and the pound, would go into free fall.
Out campaigners claim they can walk away from Europe one day and expect associate membership like Norway and Switzerland the next. Yes, these countries have access to the European market. And in return they implement European laws (including free movement of labour) without any say in drafting these laws. This is not taking back sovereignty, it's surrendering it.
They ignore the fact that many British industries - agriculture, food processing, health care, hospitals - are totally dependent on workers from Europe. Without these workers food prices would rocket and whole businesses including the NHS could face collapse. There are 2.3 million EU citizens living and working in the UK. All are contributing to this country. They pay 34% more in taxes than that take out in benefits. They are almost equalled by the 2.2 million Britons living and working (or retired) in Europe. Our country is richer and stronger because of its membership of the EU.
They say a vote to leave would take our country back. A vote to remain would take us forward - in peace, security and prosperity as a major player in the largest trading block in the world. It would ensure we continue to benefit from the thousands of new jobs and billions of pounds investment that membership brings. A vote to leave would loose all of this. It would leave us as an insignificant off-shore island that sacrificed its friends and future to satisfy the short term ambitions of a few self centred politicians.
Mr Mathouse's decision reflects more on his ambitions for himself and his friend Boris than on his ambitions for his constituency and the country.