Today is the most important day in a generation

Dear Reader

Today will be the most important day in a generation.

We have a choice that will decide the future for ourselves, our children, our family, our nation, our continent, and even our world. That choice will be whether we wish to leave or remain in the EU.

I've made my choice. I've voted to remain. I'd like to take a few moments of your time to explain why I've made this choice, one I hope you will also make.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a fantastic place to be born, to live in, and to work in. But it didn't become this way in a vacuum. Our drive to explore, to trade, to invent, to be involved, has put us in a position where we are one of the biggest economies in the developed world.

But big, isn't always big enough.

We face global threats from climate change, terrorism, poverty, and war. These global threats require global solutions. One island nation comprising less than 1% of the world's population simply cannot hope to lead such a fight, but the EU, at more than ten times our size, can take such a lead. And we can be a leading voice in the EU, if we remain.

But it's about more than that.

The EU costs us money, but we get a lot on return. Be it support for education and training (such as ERASMUS), research funding (such as for the European Bioinformatics Institute in Hinxton), protection for workers (such as the Working Time Directive), protection for consumers (such as ending roaming charges), or even protection for British culture and cuisine (such as directives protecting Melton Mowbray pies and Cornish Pasties) the EU is already a force for good in our lives, and with the UK as a leading voice, it can achieve so much more.

Most of all it's about freedom.

For 70 years we've been free from the horrors of war with our neighbours. Thanks to the EU, we're now free to trade with them, free to visit them without hindrance, free to work with them, and free to live with them as well. And those very same neighbours are supplying us with the young workers we need to carry out jobs that UK residents don't apply for, whilst they also help us cope with an ageing population (through their taxes and their care work).

I don't want to lose what we have.

Within the EU, we have a louder voice in the world, a stronger economy, a more vibrant culture, greater freedom, protection from persecution, and a much greater chance of tackling global threats. Alone, all we will have left is a glorious past, and the extremely high likelihood of a referendum in Scotland that will break up the union. It really is that simple.

So, today, I really do hope you make the same choice that I have made and vote remain.

Thank you,

Gary Fuller.