Councillors in South Holland are to be asked to consider agreeing that the interests of the district’s residents would be best served by the UK leaving the European Union.
In a move rarely seen at South Holland District Council, three members – Paul Foyster, Pete Williams and Angela Newton – have written to chief executive Anna Graves asking for a motion to be put to the full council meeting on Wednesday, March 30.
It reads: “This council believes that the interests of our residents will be best served by leaving the EU.”
It could lead to a debate between councillors about the merits of the UK remaining in the EU or leaving.
Coun Foyster, leader of the two-seat UKIP group on the council, said: “It is obvious to most people that our county and district are deeply affected by the direct and indirect influence of the EU.
“Many people look for a lead in the vote taking place in June and believe that it is the duty of elected representatives, at any level, to participate in the debate about the coming referendum.
“This is far more important than any election or party politics. The result will directly determine the course of our nation’s path for the next generation.”
The move to put a motion before the Conservative-controlled district council follows a similarly-worded motion put to Tory-controlled Lincolnshire County Council’s meeting last month.
Among the 38 councillors supporting the motion was leader Coun Martin Hill and South Holland District Council deputy leader Nick Worth.
District council leader Gary Porter said, as cross-party chairman for the Local Government Association which has agreed to take a neutral stance, he will not be making his voting intention known publicly.
However, he told The Voice that he has yet to make up his mind, adding: “My heart says one thing and my head says another.”
Coun Porter first got interested in politics in 1996 after hearing the views of Sir James Goldsmith, who launched the Referendum Party to lobby for a referendum on the nature of Britain’s relationship with Europe.
John Hayes, MP for South Holland and the Deepings and a close ally of Prime Minister David Cameron, has already signalled his intention to vote “Leave”.
Meanwhile, the CLA – which represents 33,000 landowners – says Lincolnshire’s farmers face an uncertain future without Ministers making provision for the UK public voting to leave.
CLA East regional director Ben Underwood said: “To campaign or govern without giving answers on how the rural economy will be sustained in the future, whether we leave or remain, undermines confidence and gives concern as to the future security of the rural economy.”
