Council: Support the UK's Membership of the EU (Amendment)

Contents

Motion

Amendment

Vote Result

Motion

This council notes that that the prime minister has announced the government's intention to hold a referendum on the UK's continued membership of the European Union on Thursday 23rd June of this year.

Medway council supports the United Kingdom's continued membership of a reformed European Union; a union which has brought peace and prosperity to Europe since the end of the second world war.

Therefore, this council requests the leader and the chief executive of the council write to the prime minister to give the support of Medway council to achieving his objective of remaining within the European Union as:

Jobs in Medway are more secure with Britain remaining part of Europe - the biggest trading market in the world - a vote to leave the EU could result in the loss of over 7,000 jobs in Medway;
Prices are lower than they would be if we were outside Europe - meaning households in Medway save on average £450 a year;
Our police can make our streets safer by being part of a wider European arrest warrant scheme that tackles cross border crime; and
Medway's four universities, the University of Kent, the University of Greenwich, Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Creative Arts, would suffer immeasurably if the UK were to withdraw from the EU.

Amendment

The leader of the council, Councillor Jarrett, supported by the deputy leader and portfolio holder for housing and community services, Councillor Doe, proposed an amendment that the motion be replaced with:

This council supports the right for every eligible citizen to have their own view and to vote accordingly.

This council does not believe it is appropriate for the council to give its support to either side, but encourages all residents to get involved in the debate, learn as much as they can about the issues and to vote from an informed perspective.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried and became the substantive motion.

Vote Result

Votes in Favour 31

Votes Against 15

Abstentions 2

Absentees 7