INSIGHT: The EU referendum - are you in or out? Somerset MPs have their say

David Cameron has announced that the referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU will be held on June 23, after he signed a reform deal with the EU late last week.

The Gazette’s Lee Irving looks into the referendum, and which way the area’s MPs will be voting in four months’ time.

ARE EU in, or are EU out?

It is the question that will be dominating the political agenda, and one that will shape the future of the country.

The EU was founded in the 1950s by Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in a bid to create economic prosperity and safety across Europe.

The UK joined the group in the 1970s, and has been a member state ever since, and there are now 28 countries in the organisation.

There is an endless list of pros and cons to the European Union, which now includes 28 countries from across the continent.

There is free trade, free movement of people and enhanced national security but on the flip side, open borders can lead to widespread immigration, and laws for countries are often made in Brussels.

Before announcing the referendum date of June 23, Prime Minister David Cameron struck an EU reform deal, but critics have said he did not do enough for the country.

Whether we stay in the EU or not will also have a big impact on Somerset. Laws and regulations on farming could change, and there could be a big impact on the NHS and local small businesses.

As with a lot of people, Somerset’s MPs seem split on what they want to see happen and how they will vote.

MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said he had not yet decided which way he’ll vote, due to the impending final agreement on Hinkley C.

He said: “I do have an opinion on the EU, but I think it would be churlish of me to decide which way I’m voting until there is a decision made on Hinkley C.

“We have been trying to get Hinkley C off the ground for nine years, it involves hundreds of people so I don’t want to say anything yet.

“It is such an incredibly important vote, it will define the future of our country.

“It’s a fundamental decision, and one we should all think about.

“At the end of the day, we are having decisions made for us and our country by people from France, from Germany, from Poland, from Romania, wherever it may be. The EU we went into has no relationship to the EU that’s now.”

Mr Liddell-Grainger also criticised Mr Cameron for the deal he struck with the EU.

He said: “I think he caved in too early. The thing with dealing with the EU is you have to give them hell, you have to keep talking and stick at it, because that’s the only thing they understand.

“He should have been there for weeks really. Yes, he’d have been tired, but he does have a big team behind him.”

Mr Liddell-Grainger also slated the people who run the EU, President Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, as being from “Mickey Mouse” countries.

The two are from Poland and Luxembourg respectively.

“There’s no interest in the change within the EU,” Mr Liddell-Grainger said.

“For the past 20 years it has been a very cosy institution and they don’t want to change that.

“Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker are from Mickey Mouse countries, and they are running the EU and making all of these big decisions.”

Rebecca Pow, MP for Taunton Deane, said: “I am considering all the options relating to this highly significant referendum, the result of which will have a lasting effect on the future of the United Kingdom and I urge everyone to do the same.

“I do believe David Cameron has made substantial progress on the deal he has ironed out which will be legally binding, amongst his achievements are the ‘red card’ which will block unwanted EU laws and the commitment to exclude the UK from ever closer union.

“Free trade and the security of the nation are key considerations and I shall be opting for the choice that in particular best delivers on these too.

“I would stress that the referendum was a manifesto pledge and this is being delivered on and now it will be up to the good people to decide whether we stay in Europe or leave.

“Once I am fully armed with all the facts I will make my view known.”

Marcus Fysh, MP for South Somerset, is the county’s only MP who has come out and said which way he will be voting.

Mr Fysh has said he will be voting to leave the EU, and explained his reasons why.

He said: “If we leave we will be able to make our own laws, control our borders, and reduce pressure on housing, school places, GPs and hospitals from currently uncontrolled immigration.

“We will have better global trade opportunities and more ability to reshape and deepen our partnerships and opportunities in Europe.

“Leaving would not harm local jobs and trade. We would remain covered by current EU trade arrangements for at least two years in which we could negotiate a trade deal with the EU and progress plans with others to have them ready.

“Local farmers would be able to access replacement funding programmes from the UK government.

“EU nationals currently living in the UK would be allowed to remain under a reciprocal arrangement for our nationals living in the EU.

“To the extent that local wages are currently suppressed by new supply of cheap labour from less developed nations within the EU, there is scope for them to rise, putting more money in people’s pay packets.”

James Heappey, MP for Burnham, was also non-committal. He said: “I very much welcome the referendum.

“It was a key part of our manifesto and the British people are long overdue their say on our membership of the EU.

“It is right that everyone will have a say in this important decision.

“I remain undecided on how I will vote in the referendum. I see huge advantages to leaving but I see dangers too.

“Over the coming months – and like millions of others – I’ll be making my mind up based on what’s best for the future of Somerset and our country.”