A new poll shows that the younger generation want to stay in the European Union while the old want to stick with their decision to leave the forum…reports Asian Lite News
The findings show that 72% of young adults aged 18-34 would prefer the UK to remain a member of the European Union along the lines of Lead not Leave’s suggested reforms. In contrast, only 38% of adults aged 55+ expressing a preference chose this outcome. Similarly, only 28% of young adults aged 18-34 who expressed a preference would choose a No Deal option, in contrast to 62% of those aged 55+.
The poll was conducted by ComRes poll commissioned by www.leadnotleave.com.
Gina Miller, who has set up the Lead Not Leave initiative with Lord Maurice Saatchi and Baroness Helena Kennedy to offer a way out of the Parliamentary paralysis caused by Brexit, says: “These findings give a renewed sense of purpose and urgency to our initiative, one that offers politicians in the United Kingdom a pragmatic, common sense solution that addresses the concerns raised by Leave voters and which offers a real chance of bringing closure when it comes to Brexit and bringing the whole of the UK back to together again.
“It is the younger generation that will have to live with the consequences of leaving the EU in the chaotic and destructive way this government now appears set upon. Our young people have every right to be heard and their concerns can and should be addressed, not least by the Opposition. The young people are saying clearly that they want their generation to remain and be a leading voice in Europe, not to trail behind it. This is their future that we are talking about.”
Lead Not Leave is a major new cross-party initiative designed to harness the growing momentum for overdue and wide-ranging EU reform. The general mission of Lead Not leave is that, rather than leave the EU, the UK should be leading intergovernmental discussions on restructuring the EU, beginning with its own membership terms.
In a joint statementearleir, Saatchi, Miller and Kennedy said: ‘Following the 2016 Referendum, the
UK is facing the worst constitutional and political crisis since the Second World War. There is a now an opportunity for innovative thinking to end the chaos, and a growing recognition of the need to do so, with a solution that respects the needs of everyone in the United Kingdom. This is about reframing the debate, thinking long term and maximising our nation’s capacity for common sense, pragmatism and leadership.
Lord Saatchi, former Chairman of the Conservative Party, said: ‘There is a much better alternative to leaving, don’t leave, led through a Remain Plus. We need a redistribution of power in Europe. That’s why I am today introducing the EU Membership Bill in the House of Lords to give Parliament and the people something we actually want, rather than the current choice between least worst options. The prospect of a no deal Brexit or facing years of complex negotiations versus a solution that is a win win is likely to be very attractive to both EU member states and the British people’.
“No-one could have foreseen the political chaos which is paralysing our nation,” said Gina Miller. “It is deeply worrying that we are now facing the impending prospect of a No Deal, with the serious harm that this would inflict – particularly, on the most vulnerable in our society. Itis time to take a step back from the brink, to think differently to end the divisions, to bring closure and get back the United Kingdom that used to make us all so proud. Our call today is about common sense for our common good. One thing we can all agree upon is that we cannot go on like this: we have to begin the process of healing for all our sakes.”
Helena Kennedy said:“I have fought for rights and protections for individuals my entire career, both in the UK and internationally, and have come to see that the only way to secure them is to work with all stakeholders, irrespective of their political allegiances. It is deeply disturbing to see the divisions in society and the deepening crisis. Now is the time for our Parliament to consider a fresh approach, listen to all sides of the debate and work together for our greater good.”
On February 19 2016, European Council President, Donald Tusk, presented the final text on the draft reform proposals drawn up by the European Council in response to demands set out by then UK
Prime Minister, David Cameron, in a letter on November 10 2015.
In short, the other 27 member nations agreed to a deal that would have seen:
- a seven-year term for the emergency brake to restrict EU migrants in the UK claiming inwork benefits.
- child benefit payments indexed to the cost of living for children living outside the UK for all
new arrivals to the UK, extending to all workers from 1 January 2020.
- any single non-eurozone country able to force a debate among EU leaders about ‘problem’
eurozone laws – though they will not have a veto.
- an unequivocal opt-out stating that EU treaty “references to ever-closer union do not apply
to the United Kingdom”.