Cllr Ian Moran
Leader
West Lancashire Borough Council

Dear editor,

As the Labour leader of WLBC responsible for the delivering services to thousands of west Lancs citizens every day, I believe that Britain is better off in the EU. From supporting local businesses and jobs, to protecting working people and supporting our health and environment, Britain’s EU membership is vital. If we leave, it is the people in our communities that will be hardest hit.

The EU is by far the UK’s largest trading partner and the world’s largest single market; half of our exports go to EU countries, worth £227 billion in 2014 to the UK economy, and over 200,000 British companies export to the EU. The economic damage that leaving the EU would bring would wreak havoc on our local businesses and make it harder than ever for councils to deliver the services people rely on. Given the Government’s recent decision to devolve business rates, the disastrous economic effects of Brexit could mean catastrophe for our councils’ ability to deliver the services people rely on.

Local councils have a crucial role to play in helping to protect our natural environment and securing a lower carbon future. We have been spurred on in our efforts by the standards and challenges set by the EU. British shoppers in our local high streets and town centres are better protected than ever thanks to EU consumer protection and they pay lower prices on everything from passenger air fares to mobile phone roaming charges. We know that, on average, the lower prices that come from being able to access the largest single market in the world save families in our communities £450 a year.

Our local police can better serve our communities because of the international intelligence they receive from European forces, and because they have the tools they need to do their job. The European Arrest Warrant has led to over 1,100 suspected criminals being arrested and returned to Britain to face justice; Britain has also sent 7,400 suspected criminals who had fled to our country back to the EU. Our communities would not be safer if we abandoned such an important tool in the fight against crime.

Local councils have already had to make substantial cuts to their budgets over the last 6 years and leaving the EU will represent a further funding black hole that would make it even harder to build homes and protect our towns against flooding.


Also as a working postman mine and my work colleagues employment rights, such as sick pay, maternity and paternity pay, the right to paid holidays, agency workers’ rights and also H&S laws that keep workers safe ,are all secured thanks to the EU but they are at risk if we choose to leave the EU.

In almost every area of council work, leaving the EU would have a negative impact. To successfully continue the delivery of better services, safe communities and prosperous places I believe it is vital that the UK votes to remain on the 23rd of June.


Thanks

Ian

Cllr Ian Moran
Leader
West Lancashire Borough Council

I am English and British - by virtue of my birth - I am proud of that fact and will remain such until my dying breath despite what our politicians may want. I am not a European citizen - I am a British citizen and my dad and granddad fought alongside many who never returned home for me to maintain that right. Sovereignty to me means everything it has NOTHING to do with economics.

Britain get off your knees be PROUD of your country that your ancestors built and defended through blood, sweat and tears. I will not ever surrender to the likes of Junker or Merkel - to do that I would be spitting on the graves of millions (from many countries) who lie in graves across the length and breadth of Europe. Mr.Cameron and the Leader West Lancashire Borough Council you do not deserve to walk the corridors of power the way you shame our ancestors and continue to treat the electorate with utter disdain and contempt.

Underneath the gaudy patter and the cod patriotism you don`t actually say very much Old Surfer, certainly no attempt to counter Ian Moran with rational argument instead just hollow bluster. As Leader Of West Lancashire Borough Council Cllr Moran has every right to state his position on this matter crucial to the residents of that district, indeed it would be remiss of him not to comment. He makes the case for West Lancashire and beyond staying in the EU you respond with abuse. Unfortunately that is the modus operandi of many Brexiters like yourself a belief that you can win the argument by raising your voice and browbeating those who take a position contrary to your own.
Incidentally my late father flew forty missions for RAF Bomber Command, alas he passed many years ago but I bet he would have been mighty relieved to know that peace has existed for decades now in Europe and the closer economic and political ties brought about by the EU are a big factor in ensuring that harmony.