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EU referendum: Youngsters back Remain at Black Country Brexit debate

We should stay in the EU - that was the verdict from young people during a Black Country debate on the hot topic ahead of the referendum.

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More than 30 youngsters packed into the YMCA, in Wolverhampton, for a healthy debate alongside politicians from the Leave and Remain campaigns.

West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge, from UKIP, was joined by Tory city councillors Wendy Thompson and Udey Singh backing Brexit while Labour MP for Wolverhampton South East Pat McFadden and West Midlands MEP Neena Gill for Labour In Europe made the case for staying in what turned out to be a feisty debate.

But in the end it was the teenagers who had the final say. Many had arrived undecided but by the end two thirds of the group had moved to the side of the room allocated to the Remain campaign.

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Louise Bako, aged 19, said: "It has been a good event it has really opened my eyes to different sides of the argument.

"I was swaying towards stay before but now I am definitely for staying in. It is just the principle of peace and people sticking together."

Wolverhampton MP Pat McFadden is pro-remain former shadow Europe minister

While Simon Doherty, who had opted for Brexit, said: "There have been good views. I understand the Remain arguments and they are legitimate arguments.

"I am not a complete Euro-sceptic but I think it is heading towards being a federal government. Ultimately I would take the problems freedom brings over any which come with staying in."

A range of crunch EU topics were debated at the YMCA in Wolverhampton

The debate kicked off with some facts about the EU which turned into bit of mythbusting.

The group were asked a question and told to move to different sides of the room depending on what they thought was the correct answer.

It started simple enough with an early question asking whether the Union's motto was 'United in Diversity' or 'Get Rich or Die Trying' - a phrase which American rapper 50 Cent adopted for his 2005 biopic film.

The crowd correctly opted for the former.

But a few questions later they were more evenly split when asked if staying in the EU would increase the likelihood of terror attacks in the UK or if it would make it easier for a young person to get a flat.

Ms Gill tried to spell out the benefits of remaining in Brussels to the group.

She said: "For young people it is about their future jobs and opportunities. But a big thing is that it gives you the opportunity to go and study and work in other countries and get paid for it. It is a big plus."

Bill Etheridge told young voters not to be intimidated by 'project fear'

While Mr Etheridge, plumping for the inherently more emotive Leave campaign, admitted he wanted to appeal to people's hearts.

He said: "If you vote to stay in your vote will mean diddly-squat from then on. There will be no status quo with the EU you will be voting to go down the road to a federal Government.

"Don't be intimidated by project fear. Don't be frightened of the establishment but fight the establishment."

The last task the group had to do was to register to vote.

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