Brexit:In or Out? News from the Guildhall School of Business and Law

Guildhall Faculty of Business and Law held a hot debate at Moorgate yesterday about Brexit. Chaired by Treasury Minister Stephen Timms MP, the debate's guest speakers included former Conservative Minister John Redwood MP, who was rallying for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, and Labour politician Mary Creach MP, who was very passionate about the UK remaining in the EU.

 

Solicitor Femi Alese MA, LLM (England and Wales) opened the debate with "no matter how hostile our politics may be with each other we are here for our country." The students were ready and excited for what they anticipated would be a heated discussion.

 

Redwood kicked off the debate with passion and enthusiasm: "I want us to be more free and democratic and to achieve this we need to leave the EU." He focused on what the vision of Brexit would look like, discussing subjects including migrants and education. Frustratingly shaking her head at some of Redwood's points, Creach hit back, saying: "leaving the EU will cost us over one million jobs". The focus of Creach's argument was on what would happen to the UK if it were to leave the EU, drawing on areas including education, human rights, environment and culture. The lecture room had the feel of a parliament debate. Chair Timms concluded the debate by passing over to the students and staff for a question and answer session. 

 

Dr Simon Jones, Dean of the Guildhall Faculty of Business and Law, said: "I was delighted to welcome John Redwood MP, Mary Creagh MP and Stephen Timms MP to the Guildhall Faculty of Business and Law to debate the forthcoming referendum on European exit. It was pleasing to see a packed lecture theatre, and the quality of questioning of the panel, the passion the topic aroused and the manner in which the debate was conducted showed our students in the very best light. It was a fascinating event.”