Express & Star

EU Referendum: Working people 'will suffer' in Brexit, says Ed Miliband on trip to Wolverhampton

Ed Miliband warned that working people 'will suffer' if Britain leaves the EU as he appeared in Wolverhampton on the Vote Remain campaign trail.

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The former Labour leader visited Wolverhampton's YMCA in Temple Street to discuss next week's EU referendum with youngsters from St Matthias School.

Taking questions from the floor, Mr Miliband admitted that Labour had not done enough to encourage young voters to engage in the debate over Britain's membership of the bloc.

He added: "If young voters don't come out to vote older people may end up making the decision for them.

"Some older people have a view that they would like Britain to return to aspects of its past. But I'm looking to young people as the future."

Mr Miliband was grilled by the group of year 10 pupils for more than half an hour. They had been studying the referendum ahead of the politician's appearance.

When asked whether the issue of sovereignty should be such a major factor in the debate, Mr Miliband said: "Like any club of 28 people, you don't always get your way, but you're safer in the club than on your own."

He also promoted the benefits of free movement, using his parents experience of fleeing Belgium during the Second World War as an example. The use of European Arrest Warrants to deal with foreign criminals was a way of dealing with cross border terrorism, he said.

He told the audience: "We don't really know what will happen if we leave. There is a lot of uncertainty. That's why we're safer in."

Speaking to the Express & Star following the debate, he gave a clear message for readers who may not yet be decided which way to vote on June 23, and called for people to ignore the personalities and focus on the issues.

"Ordinary working people will suffer if we leave the EU, not the rich," he said.

"This debate should not be about David Cameron, it should be about the bread and butter issues that people are facing in their everyday lives.

"People should think about the economy and the evidence that we have shown that ordinary working people are set to have the most to lose if we leave.

"Young people are the ones that will have to deal with the outcome of this referendum and it is for that reason I say we are stronger together."

During his visit to the city Mr Miliband also visited The Way Youth Zone where he cast his eyes over facilities and chatted with staff.

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