Brexit: What Next? Nottingham Trent University Business School, 28th September 2018

Recently I attended a debate in Nottingham in relation to Brexit organised by the Nottingham European Movement (which has existed for many 70 decades). The event was chaired by John Hess (Former East Midlands Today political correspondent) and the panellists included; Femi Oluwole (Our Future Our Choice), Eloise Todd (Best For Britain), Ken Clarke MP (Conservative), Chris Leslie MP (Labour), Natalie Bennett (Green Party) and the Lib Dem Brexit spokesman Tom Brake. All six of the panellists made some terrific points with Ken Clarke stating how stupid he thinks referendums are and that there wasn't much appetite for a referendum in the country beforehand, saying that he doubts his constituents know what Euratom is. Femi gave the best explanation of the Single Market in 30 seconds, while Chris Leslie says that he believes any type of Brexit is harmful. Tom Brake made a number of points with the importance of Freedom of Movement being highlighted by him as when he was child he lived in France for 10 years and as his kids are studying at University now (one of which is studying German), he wants them and others to have the same rights that he did, to be able to live and work in other EU countries. Furthermore, Brake said that he holds two people responsible for Brexit, David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn. He pointed out that if Corbyn was more passionate during the EU campaign and campaigned with others then the result would have been different.

Eloise Todd said that Best for Britain on their website have published an interactive map and a 'Brexit Shift report from August 2018 showing each constituency and the swing (in most cases) from Leave to Remain during the period of 2016 and 2018. Their report reveals that the constituency of Gedling has now swung from LEAVE in 2016 to REMAIN in 2018, with 52.4% wanting to REMAIN compared with 43.8% two years ago. Whilst Sherwood Constituency (which is partly incorporated into the Council borough) still supports LEAVE, there has however been a 5%-6% swing in favour of Remain with 41.8% now backing REMAIN as opposed to 36.2% in 2016.

Tom Sutherland