Apr 15 - Hughes At Stronger In Dinner: Brexit Would Deal “Devastating Series Of Blows” To UK And Gibraltar
Leaving the EU would deal both the UK and Gibraltar a “devastating series of blows” by removing access to the world’s largest trading bloc.
This was the message delivered by the former Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Simon Hughes to over 200 industry leaders, students and politicians yesterday evening at the start of a dinner organized by the Gibraltar Stronger In campaign.
Sir Simon is in Gibraltar to spread the key messages of the campaign for the UK to remain within the EU. While he acknowledged that the EU was often imperfect, it provided access to over 500 million potential consumers while the Brexit alternative left many questions unanswered.
Speaking about global economic competition, he said:
“We are in the lead – imagine the alternative where we leave the EU. Can you imagine that we would have the same level of influence over trade, over business, over environmental and diplomatic policy, over foreign policy?”
Sir Simon also argued that cooperation among the member states made the continent safer and cited the existence of the European Arrest Warrant as a key tool in the fight against international crime.
“These things don’t happen by accident – they’ve been negotiated and are a product of our common, shared enterprise which is to make sure that we are safer together,” he stressed.
HUGHES: “You have a job to do”
He also urged locals to use networks of friends and family members in the UK to spread Gibraltar’s message ahead of June’s vote.
“You have a job to do at getting the message about the importance to Gibraltar of remaining in the EU to the rest of us in the UK.”
He concluded: “I hope you’ll join me in making sure that in June this year we make a confirmation commitment to stay in the Europe which has been such a beacon for the world and go on being a prosperous, a peaceful, a secure part of the world.”
VASQUEZ: “Every vote counts”
Gemma Vasquez, who’s leading the local Stronger In campaign said she had been impressed by the levels of support received so far.
“Individuals are streaming into our Main Street offices to find out how they can register and information on our campaign but we cannot take anything for granted. From now until the 23rd of June, we have to do as much as is humanly possible to try and get a positive message out so that Gibraltar – unified – goes out to vote that day,” she said.
Mrs Vasquez said that it was essential that Gibraltar make its voice heard: “Gibraltar united has to send out a strong, clear message, indeed one that could swing the referendum….we have 23,000 votes, let’s not waste a single one of those.”
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