This Council notes:-
• 55% of Exeter residents who voted in the EU referendum voted to remain in the EU.
• Exeter has a greater share of exports to the EU than any other city in the UK (70% of exports from the city are destined for EU countries).
• A recent Local Business Survey showed that confidence among SMEs in the West of England in the government to deliver a Brexit that works for business is on the wane, with only 11.69% of 230 businesses polled being confident or very confident that there will be a good deal.
• Polling in July 2018 found that 71% of British people disapprove of how the Brexit negotiations are being handled.
• Polling in August 2018 found that voters in the South West of England back a second referendum on the Brexit deal by a margin of 42% to 35% .
This Council believes:-
• That the EU referendum on 23rd June 2016 should be considered the beginning of a democratic process, not the end of one.
• That the conclusion by the Electoral Commission that the Leave campaign committed serious offences by breaking electoral law casts doubt on the legitimacy of the result of the 2016 referendum.
• That new information on the way the referendum campaign was conducted and the economic, environmental and social impacts of Brexit, which have come to light since the referendum, may have altered some voters’ preferences regarding desired outcomes of the Brexit negotiations.
• That giving the British people a final say on the Brexit negotiations will help to rebuild trust and engagement in the political process.
This Council resolves:-
• To express our support publicly for a People’s Vote on the final terms of any Brexit deal.
• To write to our local MP, Ben Bradshaw, and the Prime Minister, Theresa May, informing them that Exeter City Council has passed this motion in support of a People’s Vote.
Minutes:
Councillor Mitchell, on behalf of Councillor Musgrave who had submitted his apologies, seconded by Councillor Sills, moved a Notice of Motion in the following terms:-
This Council notes:-
• 55% of Exeter residents who voted in the EU referendum voted to remain in the EU.
• Exeter has a greater share of exports to the EU than any other city in the UK (70% of exports from the city are destined for EU countries).
• A recent Local Business Survey showed that confidence among SMEs in the West of England in the government to deliver a Brexit that works for business is on the wane, with only 11.69% of 230 businesses polled being confident or very confident that there will be a good deal.
• Polling in July 2018 found that 71% of British people disapprove of how the Brexit negotiations are being handled.
• Polling in August 2018 found that voters in the South West of England back a second referendum on the Brexit deal by a margin of 42% to 35% .
This Council believes:-
• That the EU referendum on 23rd June 2016 should be considered the beginning of a democratic process, not the end of one.
• That the conclusion by the Electoral Commission that the Leave campaign committed serious offences by breaking electoral law casts doubt on the legitimacy of the result of the 2016 referendum.
• That new information on the way the referendum campaign was conducted and the economic, environmental and social impacts of Brexit, which have come to light since the referendum, may have altered some voters’ preferences regarding desired outcomes of the Brexit negotiations.
• That giving the British people a final say on the Brexit negotiations will help to rebuild trust and engagement in the political process.
This Council resolves:-
• To express our support publicly for a People’s Vote on the final terms of any Brexit deal.
• To write to our local MP, Ben Bradshaw, and the Prime Minister, Theresa May, informing them that Exeter City Council has passed this motion in support of a People’s Vote.
In moving the motion, Councillor Mitchell stated that he believed that there were many security, social, environmental, cultural and economic advantages to remaining in the European Union. He referred to the significant number of leading political figures in the Conservative and Labour parties who advocated a People’s Vote and to the support for this vote by his party, the Liberal Democrats, as well as the Scottish National Party and the Green Party. He believed that people, not politicians, should have the final say on the terms of any Brexit deal.
A number of Members spoke in support of the motion, many having campaigned in favour of remaining in the European Union prior to the Referendum in June 2016. They referred to significant changes in public opinion on the issue as negotiations on the nature of the UK’s departure from the European Union had progressed. Much further information was now available on the minutiae of Brexit and the likely implications of leaving. Because of this, they felt that it was appropriate for the public to be further consulted as there was a better chance of an informed decision being made. Furthermore, the view was expressed that there had been significant misinformation during the debate leading up to the Referendum and that, with additional information, it was believed that many of the public had altered their stance on the issue and were now in favour of remaining.
Members also referred to the wider political ramifications of leaving, mentioning the political makeup of Europe before and after the 1975 Referendum and the implications for the future, particularly with regard to the United Kingdom and its relationship with Ireland.
A Member who did not support the motion suggested that it would be an unacceptable precedent to seek a further vote on a matter on which the public had already decided. In her experience, there had been significant support in the City for leaving including from young people and that there was no wish to be part of a European state.
Councillor Sills, in seconding the motion, provided statistical data to back the importance of remaining part of the European Union. He highlighted the health and education sectors in particular, the latter, for example, having received the highest national share of European funding. His data also indicated that there would also be a direct negative economic impact on Exeter and he, with other Members, believed therefore that there would be significant disadvantages to the City’s young people and future generations.
Councillor Pearson moved, and Councillor Denham seconded, that the letter should also be sent to Sir Hugo Swire, the other City MP. Councillor Mitchell agreed to this amendment.
The motion, as amended, was put to the vote and carried.