EU Referendum: Webchat with Amber Rudd MP, Monday 20 June at 8.30am

[BojanaMumsnet]

Hello

We’re pleased to announce a webchat with Amber Rudd MP on Monday 20 June at 8.30am. Amber is campaigning for the UK to remain in the EU.

Amber is the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. She has been the Conservative MP for Hastings and Rye since 2010. She says her focus for the constituency has been on ‘job creation, business investment, reducing unemployment and keeping the cost of living as low as possible’.

She also helped to organise Parliament’s cross-party inquiry into unplanned pregnancy, to which Mumsnet members contributed evidence, and which recommended better access to contraception and more sex and relationships education in schools.

Before Parliament, Amber worked in finance, then moved into specialising in recruitment and writing for financial publications.

The EU referendum will be held on 23 June.

Please do join the chat on Monday, or if you can’t make it, please leave a question here in advance. And do bear in mind the webchat guidelines - one question each only (follow-ups allowed if there’s time) and please do be polite.

Thanks
MNHQ

@TheCunkOfPhilomena

Do you have any regrets with how Cameron and Osborne have conducted themselves during the Remain campaign? I am voting IN but I find the behaviour by politicians on both sides to have been abhorrent and the messages sent out are ones to appeal to the darker sides of human nature.

Where is the positivity?

I hear it from Corbyn but (until today, for the worst possible reasons) he, and the rest of the Labour IN politicians, haven't been very visible at all in the media.

The people that I speak to, on both sides of the debate, are either fed up, unsure how to vote because of the spin on the figures, or sickened by the way this has turned into a ridiculous dark pantomime.

I'm sure you'll tell me that I've missed the positive bits but I have been following pretty closely and this is my truth.

it's disappointing that that's what has clearly been felt by you and other users. From my point of view, I've felt that it's been a mic of positive messages about what the EU can do for us and why we are leading in it, and also a realistic look at what the alternatives are.

It's just not fair to voters and to families not to look at what the alternative would be and for those of us who believe very strongly that we are better off in the EU, leaving is a very worrying proposal. The fact is that we have been warned by every independent organisation that it could have dramatically bad consequences.

Now you may feel that I am just repeating more of what you don't want to hear but I just think it would be irresponsible not to point out what the choices are between. This is a once in a generation choice, there's no going back afterwards, it needs a serious look not only at the benefits, but also at the alternatives.

@Peanutbutterjellytime123

Hi Amber,

I've heard that most migration is actually from people outside of the EU, what are your thoughts on this?

That's true, there is slightly more migration from outside the EU. We took steps to reduce it, by closing a lot of bogus colleges and toughening up on some of the application controls. The UK has created two million new jobs in the last Parliament. Most of these have been filled by British nationals, but some from overseas. It's a points-based system and it's good that the UK can attract some of the best and the brightest to our universities, to our public services and to our businesses.

Hi Amber

If we stay, what will you be doing for teh many working-class Britons who clearly don't buy the 'net immigration is overall a good thing' argument - in terms of their everyday experience: housing, depression of wages locally, and so on.

@namechangeparents

Dear Amber, I see someone has asked what you dislike about the EU. I am very firmly in the "remain" camp but the cookies law was not the EU's finest hour. Do you think that if we remain, the EU might have had a bit of a scare and might finally start listening to those who say there needs to be change - not just from the UK but from elsewhere too?

And another question: if we brexit, do you think the Common Travel Area is doomed? The Channel Islands are not in the EU yet part of it. So would it actually matter if the UK was not in the EU either?

I'm not up to speed on the cookies law, but one thing is for sure, if we left we'd have no influence on any future decisions the EU made. And depending on what agreement was finally reached, we might just end up having to take them anyway.

Your question about the Common Travel Area is worrying. We don't know how it will be resolved. I find the issue of who has membership where and where the borders are particularly concerning regarding the Union. Friends in Northern Ireland are very anxious about what would happen to the border with the Republic. The truth is nobody knows.

Hi Amber

Not a conservative voter myself but I think you're a good MP (in a #thankyourMP spirit - not that you're mine)

If you had been PM, would you have called this referendum?

@rogerrodge

Hi Amber

If we stay, what will you be doing for teh many working-class Britons who clearly don't buy the 'net immigration is overall a good thing' argument - in terms of their everyday experience: housing, depression of wages locally, and so on.

It's a very reasonable question. As you rightly say, net immigration does bring a benefit to the economy, but we have to make sure that that is felt in the areas that are under pressure, like housing as you mention. We've already said that we will ensure that more money is focused on areas that feel particular pressure. We will be taking that forward.

Our membership of the EU helps to make sure that we're the best place for investment. Which means that there will be more jobs available. By building on our economy, we'll be able to invest more in our public services. This is what we all want - a strong economy that delivers up and down the country.

Amber, I don't think it is sufficient to say you and Boris are great friends to explain away your conduct in the ITV debate.
The public do not see your personal friendship to accept this as some sort of banter. I really feel that politicians need to set an example in taking it away from the personal and put issues and professionalism back at the heart of their exchanges.
If you take one thing away from this campaign, please let it be that.

Hi Amber. My question for you: If we leave the EU, will Scotland be within their rights to call an immediate second referendum, and if so do you think they will vote to leave the UK? Thanks

@shinytorch2

Re: immigration figures. To me there is a risk of upside in the current net figure of 330,000 per year with youth unemployment figures of 40-50% in Southern Europe, Turkey holding the EU to ransom to stem the migrant flow from the Middle East and the accession of 4 new poor Eastern European countries during the next few years.

What does the future look like population wise in the country - are your working assumptions for net migration to exceed 330,000 given the comments above, and how will the Tory Government fund the massive increase in spending that will be needed without putting up taxes but with nascent GDP growth eg. quarter on quarter +0.4% (2016 Q1 from ONS)?

Our working assumptions, which the Treasury uses, are for net migration coming down.

Do you remember Auf Wiedersen Pet? It was a series about English people going over to work in Germany. We shouldn't assume that it's always going to be people from the rest of the EU coming to work here. This year the rest of the EU is expected to grow at the same level as the UK.

We have been creating many more jobs than the EU in the past, but with their growth now recovering, that should change. Additionally, the new relationship on EU migration with the EU that the PM has negotiated, means that we should only be attractive to people who want to work here. People can't take out before they've put in.

Even if there are more jobs available, the pay will be lower. This is certainly what we are finding here on the South Coast and the loudest opponents of continued immigration are the immigrants themselves who've worked hard to create a decent life for themselves here and now find that their pay is decreasing or they can't find work at all.

@SpringingIntoAction

The UK will need to build many new hospitals, homes and schools to meet the demand coming from the increased UK population.

Given the long lead times to build these (hospitals can take up to 10 years to plan and build) how will be cope in the interim? Could we be referred to hospitals in other EU countries for treatment?

You're right that the NHS is going to continue to need more money to deal with an ageing population and medical developments that we all want to have access to. We work to a plan provided by the independent Chief Executive of the NHS. We will always plan ahead to ensure proper provision.

It is of course interesting that Simon Stevens, the Chief Executive of the NHS, has said that to deliver that, we need to be in the EU.

There will always be families who will come here in the knowledge that if they cannot find work Social Services have a duty to protect their children and will support them financially.

Hi Amber - I have the feeling that most people, despite the arguments being put forth by politicians and talking heads, will be voting with their instinct on whether to stay in the EU or not, instead of looking at numbers/legal protections or restrictions provided by membership, etc. I recently attended a panel discussion on the EU which focused on the protections it provides women, particularly working women and mothers - and since women are the single biggest undecided group of voters, that seems significant. How would you go about providing women with that information, about the benefits of EU membership? It seems difficult to strike a balance between being informative and being patronizing (i.e. the cringey yoof-speak of the advert that urged "votin'".)

Amber -

Thank you for addressing my question:

• how can the Treasury assume net migration will fall when as J Corbyn honestly acknowledged, you have NO CONTROL over EU immigration?

• you need to spend more to adjust the infrastructure to cope with those that have arrived plus those that are going to come. How will you do that with very slow growth (0.4% GDP in Q1) without putting up taxes substantially?

@StrawberryTournament

Hello Amber,

The EU still seems to be unreformed and unreformable after many years. What reforms would you like to see, and what is the realistic chance of them happening?

There are lots of little things I would like to change. Boris raises interesting points about bananas, tea bags and matadors. But I really don't think we should be throwing the baby out with the bath water. The EU helps us become more prosperous and safer as a country. Don't underestimate the influence we already have. We are one of the leading players within the EU. My experience is that other countries rely very heavily on the UK for leadership on all of the major matters.

For example, last year nearly 200 countries signed the first definitive deal in Paris to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change. The UK shaped the EU position. We did that because we already have our Climate Change Act 2008. Other countries look at us with confidence because we've already shown how to grow your economy and reduce your emissions. Because of our leadership role within the EU, we were able to shape the final deal. So the deal is more effective, more transparent and is in our interest.

The Prime Minister, in his reforms, put competitiveness squarely at the top of the agenda and the EU have said that they will take action and reduce regulation, and drive competitiveness which will have a positive effect on prices at home. I think we need to keep up the pressure there to make sure that they actually deliver.

@GrendelsMother23

Hi Amber - I have the feeling that most people, despite the arguments being put forth by politicians and talking heads, will be voting with their instinct on whether to stay in the EU or not, instead of looking at numbers/legal protections or restrictions provided by membership, etc. I recently attended a panel discussion on the EU which focused on the protections it provides women, particularly working women and mothers - and since women are the single biggest undecided group of voters, that seems significant. How would you go about providing women with that information, about the benefits of EU membership? It seems difficult to strike a balance between being informative and being patronizing (i.e. the cringey yoof-speak of the advert that urged "votin'".)

I think this is very important. And I made some enquiries myself. The UK does have strong protection for women in place. But there are two reasons why that protection is enhanced by being in the EU.

The first is that the EU provides and extra layer of protection. So this Government is committed to women's rights but who knows which direction future governments might go.

And the second is about our values and the sort of influence we want to have. It is our leadership in the EU that allows us to ensure that other members of the EU raise their game in addressing women's rights in their countries. I think that's something we can be proud of.

Also, while many British women are working in other EU countries, don't we want them to have the same protections that we give at home?

Finally, I thought there was an interesting article by Polly Neate of Women's Aid in the Telegraph where she made the case that women who have suffered domestic violence being safer by having access to other places of refuge, ie in other parts of the EU.

"The EU helps us become more prosperous and safer as a country."

We were the 5th largest economy in the world before we joined the EU in 1973 and we are still the 5th largest economy in the world

Would you not agree that it is NATO and Five Eyes aswell as our own excellent security services that has kept us safe, not the EU?

"There are lots of little things I would like to change"

So in the main all is well with the EU?

"I think we need to keep up the pressure there to make sure that they actually deliver".

How ?- we are one of 28 voices - what if they don't want to listen to us, heaven forbid..!

@gunting

Hi Amber,

If we left the EU, would we have to accept free movement of people to trade in the single market like Norway?

Thanks

Nobody knows what arrangements we would finally come to if we left the EU. The first worry is that it would take some time, possibly years. but the Norway model is an interesting one, you're right. It involves free movement of people and agreeing to EU rules and paying a membership fee. It is similar to what we have but without us having any influence or role in the rules that we would have to accept. There is no way that this alternative is better than that which we have.

Families would take an economic hit by following the Norway model. Although it wouldn't be as damaging as the one proposed by the Leave campaigners, the Albanian model.

@kittykitty

I'm pretty sure I'm going to vote for Remain, but I'm incredibly worried that the Brexit vote might carry the day. What single reason would you give anyone wavering on how to vote that would make them decide categorically to vote Remain?

Wow, if you have the answer to that, please let me know!

Seriously, I would tell them to look at the alternatives. We know what we have by staying in the EU. A great opportunity for this country to shape its future. Outside, it's a leap into the dark.

@okeyhokeycokey

Hi Amber. My question for you: If we leave the EU, will Scotland be within their rights to call an immediate second referendum, and if so do you think they will vote to leave the UK? Thanks

This is a very worrying question. Nobody knows what the consequence will be for the Union. The SNP are likely to want to use this as a trigger for another referendum. The possible break-up of the Union is another concern as a possible consequence of Brexit.

A group supporting girls adversely affected by the HPV vaccination has had a very bad experience with the European Medicines Agency when last year their Safety review of the vaccination resulted in a blatant cover up. A complaint from a group of Cochrane scientists has been submitted to the EMA, such was their shocking handling of the safety review.

Butting heads with the EMA has highlighted that the EU organisations and agencies are beyond reproach - there is no transparency and their meetings are shrouded in secrecy and not properly minuted. The process is unfathomable, even for our MEPs and it;s virtually impossible to find out exactly who is accountable and where the buck stops.

This is quite possibly exactly how most EU agencies work - I can't get my head around why anyone would defend this way of governing and why you find it acceptable that patient safety is being decided in this manner. Perhaps you can tell me who is accountable at the EMA?

the Norway model is an interesting one, you're right. It involves free movement of people and agreeing to EU rules and paying a membership fee

This would be the least-damaging option to my mind, but do you think it would be politically achievable, given that

1. a Leave vote would be a vote against immigration,
2. an EU official (can't remember which, Juncker?) recently said that the UK couldn't stay in the Single Market post Brexit. Are they bluffing? (I really hope they are)

?

@Lottielo

Even if there are more jobs available, the pay will be lower. This is certainly what we are finding here on the South Coast and the loudest opponents of continued immigration are the immigrants themselves who've worked hard to create a decent life for themselves here and now find that their pay is decreasing or they can't find work at all.

The best way to increase pay rates is to have a strong economy. We've just introduced a national living wage, that's going up every year til 2020. To deliver that, we must have a growing economy. The trouble is, the answer to lower wages is not crashing the economy and leaving the EU. We want people to prosper in this country and in order to do that we have to be the sort of country which attracts investment and businesses.

We need to invest in our public services, in our colleges and schools. then people with a better education will be able to command higher wages, not just here but internationally. We are now seeing wages rising faster than inflation - we need that to continue.

Hi Amber

My concern is that if we vote to remain we'll just get more of the same, or be forced into ever closer union because the EU will think that we won't leave anyway.

Chalala

A leave vote is not a vote "against immigration" it is a vote to control immigration, with a skills based points system.