Agenda item

EU Membership Referendum (3)

16.1

It was formally moved by Councillor Jack Clarkson, and formally seconded by Councillor John Booker, that this Council:-

(a)       recognises and accepts the democratic will of the people of the City of Sheffield and the United Kingdom as a whole to leave the European Union;

(b)       believes that this was the right choice for the country, as it will allow us to take back control of important areas of policy and implement the laws that are best suited to the needs of the United Kingdom;

(c)        believes that the people of Sheffield have rebelled against the traditionally dominant parties, and shown that on issues of vital importance to the future of the country they are at odds with the views of the local Labour and Liberal Democrat establishment;

(d)       notes that the vast majority of votes for “Leave” in Sheffield came from areas that traditionally vote for the Labour Party, and therefore believes it is clear that the Party has lost touch with its grassroots voters and supporters;

(e)       further believes that the “Leave” campaign won in some areas traditionally held by the Liberal Democrats, such as Stannington and Graves Park, despite that Party being amongst the most pro-European in Britain;

(f)        believes that the “Remain” campaign had no positive message for the people of this country, and attempted to frighten them into voting for the EU with threats of poverty, pestilence and “world war three”;

(g)       is proud that the “Leave” campaign offered a positive vision for Britain’s future, in which the country can open itself up to trade with the world, implement a fair and sustainable immigration policy, and focus British taxpayers’ money on their priorities; and

(h)       looks forward to the day when the United Kingdom reclaims its independence from the European Union, and once again becomes an important global economic and political power.

16.1.1

(NOTE: With the agreement of the Council and at the request of the mover of the Motion (Councillor Jack Clarkson), paragraph (e) of the Motion as published in the Council Summons was altered by the removal of the word “notes” and insertion of the word “believes”.)

16.2

Whereupon, it was formally moved by Councillor Lisa Banes, and formally seconded by Councillor Jackie Satur, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of all the words after the words “That this Council” and the addition of the following words:-

(a)          believes that, on balance, it was in the best interest of Sheffield for the UK to remain in the European Union;

(b)          however, respects the outcome of the EU referendum and believes that we must work to ensure all communities pull together as a city to move forward; and

(c)          requests officers to examine the implications of the vote for Sheffield to ensure that our city can prosper outside of the European Union.

16.3

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

16.4

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)       believes that, on balance, it was in the best interest of Sheffield for the UK to remain in the European Union;

(b)       however, respects the outcome of the EU referendum and believes that we must work to ensure all communities pull together as a city to move forward; and

(c)        requests officers to examine the implications of the vote for Sheffield to ensure that our city can prosper outside of the European Union.

16.4.1

(NOTE: Councillors Pauline Andrews, John Booker and Jack Clarkson voted for paragraphs (b) and (c) and against paragraph (a) of the Substantive Motion and asked for this to be recorded.)