ON THURSDAY, June 23, British voters have a big decision to make.

The Labour Party is making the case for remaining in the EU – for a reformed Europe that works in the interests of working people, because we recognise this referendum is about jobs and our rights of work.

We are today part of the largest single market in the world, which has brought our country jobs and investment.

Locally, some of the projects where EU money has been spent in Gloucestershire include: lThe University Of Gloucestershire, which received £2.33 million as part of the Knowledge Escalator South West project; lThe Local Enterprise partnership GFirst which received £4.37m to support local job opportunities through training and employer engagement; lYoung Gloucestershire which received £134,000 to help young unemployed people get back into work; lThe Gloucestershire economy has gained from funding by the European Union to the tune of £12m between 2007 and 2013, and is set to benefit from another £35m until 2020.

The national Stronger In campaign team has said that the south west received over £735m in funding from the EU and is set to get another £730m up to 2020.

The EU underpins regulation of the labour market, limiting ‘social dumping’ (undercutting of wages and conditions) and extending the rights of employees and their representatives.

As the world’s largest single market, the EU offers the chances to protect citizens from the risk of market excess, including in the financial sector.

Workers’ rights – all protected by the EU – include paid holidays, improved maternity and paternity leave and limits on working time and a fairer deal for agency and temporary workers.

If we fall ill on holiday in France or Spain, we get free or subsidised medical care without having to worry about the cost.

If we phone home, from next year we will no longer face expensive roaming charges.

Europe has helped to improve our environment, including cleaner air, cleaner beaches and better protection of our most precious habitats.

It’s time to turn this debate around, drive out the politics of despair and offer a vision for Britain and Europe, one where we protect workers’ rights, tackle tax avoidance, get to grips with climate change and protect our industries like steel.

This is a vision of Europe based on hope and solidarity.

We, as Stroud Labour councillors, believe that a Remain vote on June 23, is in the best interests of all who live and work in our district.

Stroud District Council Labour Group

Steve Lydon, Doina Cornell, Mattie Ross, Chris Brine, Gary Powell, Karen McKeown, Nigel Prenter, Alison Hayward, Colin Fryer, Tom Williams, Rachel Curley, Jenny Miles, Chas Townley, Sue Reed, Skeena Rathor, Steve Robinson, Paul Denney, Miranda Clifton