As John Redwood prepare to launch a local campaign to leave the European Union, an informal poll has revealed that Wokingham people would prefer to stay in.
On Saturday, the Wokingham MP will hold a Vote Leave event at the town hall in Market Place, as part of his support for the no campaign in the forthcoming referendum.
The staunch Eurosceptic MP is hoping that he can persuade people to vote in favour of leaving the European Union and will address the meeting which starts at 10am. Coffee and cake will also be served at the event.
However, last Saturday, members of Wokingham Labour asked people visiting its stall in Market Place and take part in its own referendum. Three pots were set up, for leave, stay and don’t know, with more than 350 people casting a vote.
Andy Croy, spokesperson for Wokingham Labour, said that more people voted for remain than any other option.
He said: “The EU is not perfect, we know that, but the benefits of remaining in Europe outweigh the risks of leaving.
“There are still plenty of people who were undecided,” continued Mr Croy. “Wokingham Labour will continue to work hard to persuade residents to vote remain.”
He added: “It is clear that many people understand the risks of leaving Europe. Millions of British jobs, including nearly 60,000 in Berkshire and over 5,000 in Wokingham, are linked to trade with the European Union. We send over half our exports to the EU. Why would we want to make it harder to do business with our closest neighbours?
“People also understood the security benefits of remaining in the EU. The origins of the EU lie in the rubble strewn Europe of the 1940s. The EU ties us together economically to make wars between member states just a horrible memory of our grandfathers. But these are dangerous times, Vladimir Putin would be the only European leader happy with the UK abandoning its EU allies.
“The EU also offers the UK the chance to act collectively against the great challenges of our age – from environmental destruction, climate change, unaccountable, untaxable global corporations and the refugee crisis – it is clear that the challenges facing the peoples of Europe are best faced by the peoples of Europe acting together.
“Labour is campaigning for the UK to remain in an EU that works for working people.”
For more on the Vote Leave campaign, supported by Mr Redwood, log on to its website, www.voteleavetakecontrol.org
