Thread by @chesterforeu

New #hustingsthread.

Having looked at the opening remarks I have picked out highlights and links to some of the questions covered in our excellent #hustings last Saturday. #EUelections2019 #PeoplesVote

“What Areas of Policy are better coordinated at EU level rather than National Level?”

Julie Ward of @uklabour views areas of refugee policy and sharing responsibility for them and also online safety and security, holding the platforms to account as crucial work for the EU.

Link to answers from all candidates to this question.

Question 1 What areas of of Policy are better coordinated at EU level rather than national leve?

Given the remain vote is split, do you recommend voting strategically to #stopbrexit.

Chris Davies of the @LibDems gives his particular view on this though .
You would probably not expect any particular party to recommend strategic voting but all the answers are interesting

All panel responses to question 2 - do you recommend voting strategically to #StopBrexit

What are the benefits from being in the EU in the fight against the effects of climate change
Jessica Northey of @TheGreenParty here believes that we need more Green MEPs across Europe who believe in legislating at the highest levels in order to protect people & our environment

A good point here to the same question from Sajjad Karim of the @Conservatives which IMO could be made about a great many issues

If the EU didn’t exist we would be inventing it

The full answers on this question from all panellists here
#EUElections2019

Question 4 was whether a #PeoplesVote is in the manifesto of the party

Sophie Larroque of UKEU points out these are EU elections not a referendum so their policy is simply to #remain in the EU

Jessica Northey of the Greens says the first page of their manifesto states they want a #peoplesvote with an option to #remain

Sajjad Karim of Conservatives says they do not have a manifesto but he is continuing to campaign for a #peoplesvote.

Dan Price of Change UK reads from his party manifesto which is a charter for remain and a #peoplesvote.

Julie Ward discusses the need to change the language to a confirmatory vote which allows a unifying narratife and points out labour voted for a #peoplesvote 3 times.

Chris Davie of the Liberal Democrat’s confirms the commitment to #peoplesvote on page 2 of their manifesto and the two versions of the cover - one says #stopbrexit and the second says #BollocksToBrexit
The complete panel answers to Q4 here

Q5 How do you see European Defence Policy moving regarding NATO and a possible EU Army?

Sajjad Karim tries to clear up the misinformation around this question.

(We have all come across the lies about the so called EU army haven’t we).

Q5 How do you see European Defence Policy moving regarding NATO and a possible EU Army?

Full answers from the entire panel

#PeoplesVote #EUElections2019

What is the most urgent issue for the new EU parliament and who would you vote for commissioner?

Whilst exploring this question Sophie Larroque from @theukeuparty wonders why any brexiter would stand as MEP when they do not believe in the European Project

Q6 What is the most urgent issue for the new EU parliament and who would you vote for commissioner?

Complete answers from the panel

The panel gives their verdict on question 7, which grouping within the EU do they intend to be part of

Question 8 asks what are the risks of no deal or a negotiated deal.

The panel is pretty much in agreement that no deal will be a disastrous outcome. Sajjad Karim says No-deal is off the table but Dan Price of Change UK feels this is still a great danger in Westmisnter

Chris says Mays deal makes us a vassal state. Jessica points out the threat to peace and Dan talks knowledgeably about the risks to manufacturing. All agree that Mays deal is damage limitation and we have the best deal. #StopBrexit

Full answers

Q9 How can the EU help preserve green spaces when we are told there is a shortage of housing
Some interesting answers as to how together we can tackle this question but of course planning decisions are taken at a national level by necessity.

Q10 - How can your party counter populist slogans and give a positive reason for a People’s Vote?

Some strong answers here. Dan believes populism is a symptom of austerity but if we let them win it will not go away, Julie sees the leave vote as a protest vote.

Sajid is concerned about international populism as we should be
Sophie believes we have to press the issue that brexit will make us poorer
Jessica believes we need to address this on the doorsteps by listening to leavers

Chris passionately deplores the shambles brexiters have left us in having promised the earth.

Q11 - Can the UK rebuild its credibility and trust with EU partners and how?
Dan Price of @ForChange_Now believes we have lots of strong influence still and we could champion EU reform for example as several members seem to want to talk about those possibilities.

Here are the full answers from the panel to
Q11 - Can the UK rebuild its credibility and trust with EU partners and how? #EUelections2019

A very interesting set of answers - I think this question reveals a great deal about all the candidates and I would recommend you listen to this whole short section.

That is the Questions section of our #hustings with some highlights picked out. I hope you find the answers from the panel useful in distinguishing between the parties represented in the #EUelections2019

Remember THE most important thing you can do for #REMAIN is to get every person you can think of to exercise their vote on Thursday 23rd May and to get them to vote for a #remainparty. Look at the people, look at the manifestos, look at the polling and make sure you vote.