Last Saturday, PM Cameron came back to the UK, EU deal in hand. He announced the 23rd June 2016 as the date the referendum will be held. The official question – accepted by MPs – that will be on the ballot is: Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?
Those eligible to vote include citizens of Britain, Ireland and the Commonwealth, aged over 18, who are resident in the UK; UK nationals who have lived overseas for less than 15 years; and Members of the House of Lords and Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar.
In an interview with Andrew Marr, PM Cameron has said: ‘I want what’s best for Britain, and I think what’s best for Britain is staying in a reformed European Union, because we’ll be better off safeguarding our position in this massive single free market that we have in Europe. I think we’ll be stronger in the world, being able to get things done, whether that’s making sure our country is safe and our people are safe, and I think we’ll fight terrorism and criminality better. We’ll be safer inside the EU because we’re able to work with our partners, strength in numbers in a dangerous world. That I think is a positive choice for us. I think a leap in the dark with uncertainty already in our world, why take a further risk? You don’t need to. We’ve now got a better deal.’
Long-time Eurosceptic Michael Gove, who will be driving the Brexit campaign alongside Boris Johnson (whose decision was seen as a hefty blow to Cameron) and Nigel Farage, released a lengthy statement on Sunday claiming that: ‘This growing EU bureaucracy holds us back in every area. EU rules dictate everything’ and that ‘Individually these rule.’ He continued, ‘As a minister I’ve seen hundreds of new EU rules cross my desk, none of which were requested by the UK Parliament, none of which I or any other British politician could alter in any way and none of which made us freer, richer or fairer.’
Meanwhile, just yesterday, over one hundred Vice Chancellors – including BU’s VC John Vinney – wrote to The Sunday Times urging the public to recognise the ‘vital role the EU plays’ towards UK universities. The letter read as follows:
Brexit will cost universities valuasble education alliances
NOW the prime minister has announced the referendum date, we urge the British public to consider the vital role the EU plays in supporting our world-class universities. Inside the EU we are better able to collaborate with partners across Europe to carry out cutting-edge research, from medical and healthcare advances to new materials, products and services. In the EU the UK is also a more attractive destination for global talent, ensuring that our students are taught by the best minds from across Europe. This has a direct impact on our economy, driving growth, generating jobs and improving people’s lives.
While no one is suggesting that UK universities could not survive outside the EU, leaving would mean cutting ourselves off from established networks and would undermine the UK’s position as a global leader in science and the arts.
Throughout the referendum campaign, as university leaders we are committed to highlighting the value of EU membership to our universities, ensuring that a range of views are heard on campuses and debating why the EU matters now and for the future.
Voters must be registered on the electoral register to be eligible to vote in the referendum, which can be done in person on the day or by post. You can register here.