EU Debate: Remain or Leave?

Our next meeting will be a Debate 

on whether the ‘UK should Remain a member of the EU or Leave’.

On the 14th April from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the White Rock Hotel

On the 23^rd of June we will make a decision on whether to remain a member of the EU or leave. This is a big deal!

There are so many different issues wrapped into this decision that it will come down to an assessment of the balance of risks and there is no certainty on either side of the argument. Our intention is to hold a debate on this contentious issue in which we will avoid tribal politics and personal attacks, and examine the issues.  Hopefully shedding a little light and dissipating some of the heat by squarely facing up to the facts, and that the decision will have wide ramifications for many years to come!

The form of the debate will be an opening vote,  2 opening statement For and Against the motion, then an open floor discussion where everybody is welcome to make their own point, then a final summing up and final vote.

To keep the debate orderly I will suggest that we deal with different aspects of the subject in turn

·         The question of sovereignty?

·         The question of economic benefit / harm?

·         Bureaucracy, inventiveness and innovation in the EU?

·         Questions of immigration?

·         Issues of democratic legitimacy and rule making?

·         How will this decision look in 50 years’ time?

Everybody is welcome to participate as long as they uphold our Humanist tradition of treating opposing opinions with respect.

Price £3.00 at the door.

Stephen Milton

Dignity in Death Discussion

Our next meeting will be a discussion of Dignity in Death should be part of our right to a ‘good life’. The 10^th March at 7.30pm at the White Rock Hotel

The BBC programme ‘How to Die : Simon’s Choice’ was a great illustration of how hard it is for everybody to organise a ‘good death’ as the well-rounded end to a ‘good life’.

·         Why do politicians find it so hard to support the moves towards a more humane end of life choice?

·         Is it really impossible to create safeguards that protect the vulnerable?

·         What would be our ideal way to organise a planned end of life, if we had the choice?

Sometimes ‘death’ feels like the last great taboo subject, but it is an unavoidable part of life and probably defines critical parts of our humanity.

Talking widely about our shared fate and facing it squarely, might even make it less scary!

Other Business

As the interest in the EU referendum begins to warm up, our debate on whether we stay or leave should get some interest. We need to get somebody to take the leave side of the debate and plan for the layout.

Steve Milton (Chair)