In a packed London Palladium four politicians went head to head this week on the question of whether Britain should remain part of the European Union.
The Guardian’s first live debate on the subject, ahead of the EU referendum on 23 June, was attended by 2,000 people hungry to discuss Europe. The politicians taking part were Ukip leader Nigel Farage, Andrea Leadsom, energy minister and a Conservative out campaigner, Alan Johnson, Labour’s big beast on the remain side, and former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg.
To add to the debate, we asked those watching the event at the Palladium or via live stream to share their thoughts about what was discussed. Here is some of what was said:
‘Nick Clegg’s contribution was by far the most pertinent, focused and grounded’
Alan Johnson was uninspiring and spoke as if he’d been dragooned into appearing, Nigel Farage crashed his plane with his almost paranoid statements (eg “the European Union provoked the Ukraine invasion”) and Andrea Leadsom was, quite frankly, wooden, obviously scripted and totally out of her depth. So where does that leave me? I am no Lib Dem but Nick Clegg’s contribution was by far the most pertinent, focused and grounded of them all. He may lack Churchillian charisma, the ability to inspire and the stentorious voice that could make his views hit home, but the fact is that he talked unruffled common sense.
• Michael, 62, from France
‘I want to see the stay campaign be less fear-mongering’
While it was an interesting debate with some fiery characters, nothing I heard was really all that new. I fundamentally feel that we are better as a group than on our own but I would really like to see the stay campaign being less negative, and fear-mongering. We need to talk about the potential bright future of the EU and Britain’s role within it. That is what the younger generation wants and needs to understand. There is also not enough economic debate, but I suspect that is because there are no winners or losers either way in reality.
• Helen, 35, from London
‘There is no progressive argument for leaving Europe’
Nick Clegg was the outstanding speaker of the evening: clear, informed, and calm. He packed a lot of information in without seeking to blind us with science and he knew what he was talking about. Alan Johnson was also very good for the same reasons.
Comments from the debate that stick in my mind include the fact we are the fifth biggest economy in the world thanks to 30 years in the EU, 80% of our trade is in services and Europe buys 50% of our trade, while we only buy 10% of theirs.
Johnson hit the nail on the head when he said why would we leave in order to spend years, and a lot of money, trying to negotiate a new deal which, at best, would be the one we already have but with no ability to influence or control it from within. As he said, “there is no progressive argument for leaving Europe.”
• Anonymous, 59, from London
‘After the debate I still don’t know which way to vote’
My instinct is to vote remain as I think of myself as a Europhile. I have spent time studying in France, and working in Spain and Holland (more than three years overall) but I don’t know who my MEP is or how they are voting on my behalf on anything. I’m not sure what is true in all the rhetoric coming from both sides, so I really can’t make an informed decision at the moment.
The comment that sticks out most in my mind came from Nigel Farage to Nick Clegg. Clegg stated that there are as many Brits living in Europe as there are Europeans living in the UK to which Farage responded: “Liar! Let’s stick with the facts.” A memorable part of the debate, but what are the facts? I don’t know. Was Clegg really lying or is Farage just good at making a point on stage?
• Anonymous, 40 from London
‘If the remain campaign want me to share their vision I am going to need some hard facts to convince me’
I found far more substance in the content of those speaking to leave than those in favour of remaining. I expected an evening of rhetoric and that is what the remain campaigners delivered. Whatever my views on Nigel Farage, I cannot believe that he would call Mr Clegg a liar on numerous occasions in a public debate unless it was a considered response.
It is my opinion that there are issues that the ruling elite do not want the general public to know about; if my fears are true, we will never be able to have a full, honest and transparent discussion and subsequently the result could be an uninformed and potentially catastrophic decision. If the remain campaign wants me to share their vision, I am going to need some hard facts to convince me. I am not afraid to vote to leave the EU with the information I have at this moment in time.
• Ken, 55, Twickenham
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