WHY Greens believe Stroud is better off inside the EU: Stroud has a national reputation as a pioneering Green community and I am proud to serve the community as the South West’s Green MEP. Greens are firmly on the side of remaining in the EU and I believe this is in the best interests of Stroud people.

Greens want Britain to remain a part of the EU because we believe that we need to work together on shared solutions to the collective challenges we face.

Climate change, the pollution of our oceans, terrorism and the refugee crisis are issues that do not stop at national borders and require collaborative, cooperative and international solutions.

Some people have lost faith in the ability of politicians to improve their lives.

This is because the process of globalisation, led by multinational corporations, has worked for the benefit of the few and not for the advantage of us all. Corporations have achieved this power by working beyond national boundaries, so we need to work at that level to tackle their power which is one reason why staying in the EU is so important.

The environmental problems we face also need international cooperation. The UK’s membership of the EU is crucial to the fight against climate change.

It is the EU that sets targets which stops our Government from totally crushing the renewable energy sector and the thousands of jobs it has created in the West Country.

It is European law that raised environmental standards, removing sewage from our beaches and giving us clean air and water. We value our natural environment for its own sake, but of course it is also vital to our tourism industry.

The Stroud Valleys are a rural area heavily dependent on European money that goes direct to our farmers and supports rural development across our region. There is no guarantee these payments would continue if we were outside the EU.

The EU adopts a Greener approach to farming than the UK Government, which means support for organic farming. It has also blocked licensing of some dangerous pesticides and GMOs, including chemicals harmful to bees, and raised standards of animal welfare on farms.

Finally, the EU has played a critical role in maintaining peace in our continent and around the world. The EU was founded to bring an end to the frequent, devastating wars across the continent.

Because of its work supporting countries of southern and eastern Europe on their path to democracy, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.

Britain has always been an outward-facing country not an insular one. When we have engaged fairly and peacefully with others, the results have been mutually beneficial. A time of international crisis is the worst time to creep back behind the Channel. We need to be out in the world solving problems in a spirit of justice and solidarity.

Those arguing for us to leave have been economical with the truth, to put it mildly. With my experience of working in Brussels I know that we play a full part in making laws and am living proof that the EU is democratic because you elected me.

I would ask you to be cautious about what you are told and to remember the words of Joni Mitchell: ‘You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone’.