Why I am so sure that Britain should remain in the EU - by Dr Wendy Taylor

Many local residents have told Liberal Democrat campaigners in recent weeks that they find it difficult to get the facts about the upcoming referendum - that both sides make claims that may or may not be true & this conflicting information makes it hard to come to a decision about what's best for our future. So I thought it might help to explain why I think staying in Europe is so important.

Asylum & immigration

My mother was a refugee from Nazi Germany. If she hadn't been allowed to stay in Britain when World War 2 started, I wouldn't be here today. During her life she trained & worked as a nurse, ran my father's dental practice for 30 years, then after his retirement she ran an over 60's club for 20 years as well as doing other voluntary work. She made a huge contribution to this country, as have many other refugees & asylum seekers over many years. The vast majority of people who come to Britain want to work hard & pay their way. Of course there are genuine concerns about making sure our public services are properly funded so that everyone can get good education, health & social care, for example, but that's what our Government should be doing.

Health

I work as a doctor treating patients with cancer & I know that our health services would be completely unable to cope without the large numbers of foreign doctors, nurses & other health professionals who work so hard for the NHS. In my own department we have doctors from many different countries both in & out of Europe. Two of the most hard-working doctors are from Rumania & Bulgaria! But even with a job in the NHS, many staff from outside Europe find it difficult to get permission to stay in the UK. How can we be sure the Europeans would still come without the freedom of movement offered by the EU? And it's not just health-our hotels, restaurants & farmers depend on hard-working Europeans to help run their businesses. Over 80% of small businesses want us to stay in the EU.

Britains abroad

We hear a lot about the 2 million Europeans living & working in the UK, but very little about the 2 million Britons living in Europe. My sister has lived & worked in Germany as an English teacher for many years. Like most UK citizens living & working abroad, she is extremely worried about what would happen if we leave the EU-what will happen to their jobs, their right to stay in the country of their choice & their pensions if we leave? We shouldn't forget that freedom of movement works both ways & our children & grand-children deserve the right to choose where they want to live & work & to make the most of their opportunities.

Peace

We should never forget that the countries in the EU have been at peace for over 70 years & that peace shouldn't be taken for granted. Like many people I lost relatives in both world wars. It's easy to suggest that NATO keeps the peace, but NATO only gets involved in a crisis. It is the EU that allows countries to talk to & work with each other to tackle the big issues we face together- climate change, organised crime & terrorism, tax evasion & promoting democracy. These big issues don't stop at national boundaries. When I was a child Eastern Europe was hostile & closed off to the Western world. It is the EU that has brought these countries together & encouraged democracy & free trade.

Prices

As a local Councillor I know that many people have been hit by cuts to public services & austerity in recent years. A recent independent survey of over 600 economists showed that nearly 90% believe households would be worse off if we leave the EU. The leave campaign would like you to believe that all these experts are wrong. Do we really want to take that risk?

Our children's future

I have two grown up children who both believe strongly that we should stay in the EU. In fact over 70% of people under 30 will vote to stay in. They understand that many jobs in Britain depend on trade with the EU & that their jobs could be at risk if we leave. Being in the EU gives young people the chance to work abroad & widens their opportunities. Is it fair to take that away?

The North East & Europe

I have lived in Newcastle since I came to University & have been a local Councillor for 28 years. I love the North East & want us to be a successful & prosperous region. The North East depends on out trade with Europe & the single market, so the last thing we want is trade barriers & tariffs. The North East will benefit from £730million in EU funding over the next 5 years. This could all be lost if Britain leaves the EU. The North East is stronger, safer & better off with Britain in the EU.

If we vote to remain in the EU, Britain can make the case for the changes we'd like to see. Outside the EU we'll have no influence. I hope you'll agree with me & vote to Remain IN.

Wendy Taylor is a Liberal Democrat Councillor for the Dene Ward, and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group on Newcastle City Council