The Great Debate The EU Referendum Photo courtesy of Rock Cohen (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

What is the EU Referendum? On Thursday 23rd June 2016, every adult in the United Kingdom will be invited to polling stations across the country to vote in the EU Referendum - a nationwide YES or NO vote on whether or not the UK should stay in, or leave the European Union. Whichever side gets the most votes will win and the UK Government will have to abide by the people’s decision. The big question is… if you were able to vote, which side would get your vote?

How would you vote? On the ballot paper, you would be faced with this question... Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union? To be a well-informed voter, you must be aware of the main points on both sides of the EU argument...

Are you a pro-EU supporter or a Euro-sceptic? The Main Points On the next few slides, we will look through some of the main points from both sides of the European Union referendum argument. Are you a pro-EU supporter or a Euro-sceptic?

Laws and Legislation Pro-EU supporters often argue that the UK needs be part of the EU parliament so that they can help to make the big decisions on laws. They are certain that the UK has a stronger leadership team within the European Union. Leaving the EU could free the UK up from the masses of legislation enforced by Brussels. This would give Britain back the control of its own laws and give our own Government and people the final say over any laws that are implemented in our country. The UK Government maintain that they have secured our country a special status in the EU. The UK has kept the pound, will not join the Euro and has kept control of its own borders. Even though our country works within the EU, the Government believe we still have overall control over the most important decisions. If the UK left the EU, it could also potentially give the Government back the opportunity to rescue struggling UK companies, like Tata Steel, through a national subsidy (a handout of funds to help them survive). These are currently banned under EU law.

Trade and the UK Economy Other EU countries are currently the UK’s main trading partners (where we buy from and sell to). If we left the EU, we would have to start paying import and export taxes (business fees for buying and selling overseas) which would cost UK businesses much more money. As the UK is one of the richest EU countries, we currently pay more for our membership than most of its member states. Some estimates put the total cost of fees as high as £118 billion a year. If we left the EU, could this money be put to better use within our own economy? At the moment, EU migrants are allowed free, unrestricted access to enter the UK. Many EU supporters believe that migrant workers bring many skills and are often eager to work, which in turn strengthens our UK workforce and economy. If the UK was freed from EU trade rules, it could secure their own trade links (to buy and sell goods) with other non-EU countries, possibly with thriving economies like Japan and India, much more easily.

Safety and Security EU membership means UK police can use law enforcement intelligence from other EU countries, and have access to fingerprint and DNA information from other EU databases. The UK already has membership of probably the most important “Five Eyes” criminal intelligence-sharing network in the World with Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA. Leaving the EU would not affect this. Supporters believe EU co-operation makes it easier to keep criminals and terrorists out of the UK, and also gives the UK more powers to extradite (give them orders to leave the country) immigrant people who commit crime. Many Euro-sceptics believe the exact opposite to the Pro-EU supporters, in that EU law often stops the UK from ‘kicking out’ illegal migrants including those with a potential terrorist threat.

The UK as a World Power Without our EU membership, the ‘stay-in’ campaigners say the UK would find itself increasingly ignored by the main global influences (like USA and Russia) and that Britain would not have as much say on the biggest international issues such as the environment, security and trade. The Leave.EU campaign assures their supporters that leaving the EU would give the UK greater influence on a global level. The UK government would be free to push for new global trade deals, and reinforce its links with Commonwealth countries and the rest of the world. The UK government say that our country risks becoming a maverick, isolated state if it leaves. Leaving the EU would give the UK its own seat at the World Trade Organisation (who set the worldwide laws on trade), rather than being represented as part of the EU. This would give the UK their own voice on a global level to set new legislation.

Have you made a decision? How would you vote? Why not have a class referendum ballot? Could you convince other voters to have the same viewpoint as you?

Aim To write and confidently deliver a persuasive debate speech. Success Criteria I can present an argument either for or against the UK remaining within the European Union; I can use persuasive language within my speech; I can give the key points from my side of the argument and back them up with supporting evidence and details; I can conclude my speech with a rhetorical question.

The Great Debate: Getting Started Decide which side of the EU Referendum argument you agree with the most. How would you vote in the referendum? Can you remember the main points to support the argument you have chosen?

Creating a Speech Use the Debate Writing Activity Sheets to help you to structure your speech. A good debate speech needs: a clear introduction, where you make your own viewpoint clear. at least three paragraphs where you introduce points that support your opinion, giving detailed facts and explain why your viewpoint is correct. to include persuasive language and specific terminology (use the EU Referendum Word Mats to help with this). a strong conclusion where you repeat your opinion and add a rhetorical question, e.g. ‘Do you really want our country to stay in the European Union and waste billions of pounds in membership fees that could be spent in the UK?’

Debate Speaking As a class, try to arrange an opportunity to present your speeches to another group, class or teacher. Remember to speak clearly and confidently so that the swaying voters are convinced by your EU Referendum argument. Can you persuade others to share your point of view? If you can’t organise a ‘live audience’ to watch your debate, you could always film your speeches and create a ‘televised debate’... just like real politicians!