Apr 15 - Sir Simon Hughes: Staying In The EU Is Key For Continued Prosperity Of The Rock
Former Liberal Democrat MP Sir Simon Hughes visited Number Six yesterday. Sir Simon is in Gibraltar to help his Gibraltar counterparts in the Stronger In Campaign spread the message to vote to stay in the EU.
He says that while people from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Gibraltar understand why Britain should stay in the EU, there is still work to do to persuade voters in England to vote to stay.
Campaigners from Stronger In in the UK have already started delivering leaflets to inform the public of the benefits of remaining in the EU, and the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Europe, Dr Joseph Garcia, said Gibraltarians will shortly receiving their leaflets to vote to stay.
Sir Simon highlighted different reasons to vote to stay in:
- The economic community across Europe has opened trade barriers and movement of skills,
- Being in the EU is more beneficial in social terms because of the introduction of measures which aim to lower the gender pay gap and provide healthcare across member states,
- For small states like Gibraltar there has been an improvement in environmental standards,
- The UK needs to stay in the EU to ensure that London remains the leading financial centre of Europe,
- If Britain wants to be a leader in the world, Britain would have to retain its position as a leader in the European Union.
With regards to Gibraltar, Sir Simon adds: “Gibraltar has absolutely complied with and participated in all the European Union regulations, a benefit which the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man do not have.
“If we want to be prosperous and lead, and make sure that the success of Gibraltar and the success of the UK grow on the world stage, then staying in the European Union is the place where we need to be.”
Gemma Vasquez, leader of the Gibraltar Stronger In campaign group, said: “We are very happy to have Sir Simon speaking at our dinner, and I am very pleased to say that it is completely sold out.
“We are happy to have cross party support and support from local businesses. The support we have received for the campaign so far has been overwhelming.”
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