The EU Referendum: what will the Students' Union be doing?
n Monday 14th of March at Union Council, a policy passed that SUSU (Southampton University Students’ Union) will be supporting the campaign to remain in the European Union. It does, of course, recognise that there is a significant number of students who do not support this stance. Therefore, the Union will provide a platform for a Brexit campaign should students choose to run one.
In the lead up to the referendum we will be doing whatever we can to inform students of their choices. We will be running our own campaign and getting involved in discussion where possible.
Why is SUSU supporting remain?
SUSU acknowledges that the European Union is instrumental in the growth of a young adult of 2016.
Freedom of holiday travel aside, if the UK were to opt out of the EU, experiences such as Semester and Year Abroads, as well as Year in Industry abroad would immediately have to be reevaluated. An opportunity widely offered by the University and one that is highly regarded by many employers.
This goes for post-university life as well. Currently as members of the EU, British citizens working in another EU member state are subject to much lower requirements (e.g. visas) than non EU citizens. Put a stop to this and jobs will become much more difficult to keep hold of or even obtain after graduation. This is only one of the potential effects on the UK’s economy if we choose to leave. The UK is one of the largest economies worldwide, but this could change, were our commercial agreements with many industries (such as the vehicle and perfume sectors) undermined by us leaving the EU.
Postgraduate students would also feel the consequences as there would be a significant loss in funding for research. The University of Southampton is consistently praised for its role in research, which could be impacted if we were to opt for a Brexit. The number of students to attend our courses from outside the UK could also see a drop as they would then have to pay higher fees. When we initially asked why our students believed we should remain, they said that having international connections and friends was important to them.
Why should we leave the EU?
It is important to represent all sides however and there are reasons for leaving the EU that should be considered. For example if this were to happen, British companies would then be subject to UK trade policies, treaties and regulation. The Treasury would save approximately £8 billion annually which could be spent in other areas and the UK would have the freedom to control immigration. There is an argument that a Brexit would heal the current unemployability rates for young Brits as well.
Who can vote?
You can vote in this referendum if you are registered to vote in the UK, are 18 or over on 23 June 2016 and are:
- A British or Irish citizen living in the UK, or
- A Commonwealth citizen living in the UK who has leave to remain in the UK or who does not require leave to remain in the UK
- A British citizen living overseas who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years
- An Irish citizen living overseas who was born in Northern Ireland and who has been registered to vote in Northern Ireland in the last 15 years
Have your say register online to vote in person, via post or by proxy.
Hannah Talbot
Vice-President Engagement of SUSU 2015-16
