A number of politicians, public figures, newspapers and magazines, businesses and other organisations endorsed either the United Kingdom remaining in the EU or the United Kingdom leaving the EU during the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016.
Video Endorsements in the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016
Remain
Government
Territories voting in referendum
- Government of the United Kingdom
- Scottish Government
- Welsh Government
- Government of Gibraltar
Other Crown dependencies
- Government of Jersey
- Government of Guernsey
Non-UK governments
- Government of Japan
- Government of Ireland
Registered political parties
Parties organised in more than one of the Home Nations:
- Green Party of England and Wales
- Labour Party
- Left Unity
- Liberal Democrats
Parties in Scotland:
- Scottish National Party (SNP)
- Scottish Green Party
- Scottish Socialist Party
Parties in Northern Ireland:
- Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
- Green Party in Northern Ireland
- NI21
- Sinn Féin
- Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)
- Ulster Unionist Party (UUP)
Parties in Wales:
- Plaid Cymru
Parties in Gibraltar:
- Gibraltar Social Democrats
- Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party
- Liberal Party of Gibraltar
Other regional parties:
- Mebyon Kernow
Business leaders
Letter to The Times
In a letter published in The Times, a wide range of business leaders, including 36 FTSE 100 companies, called for a vote to stay in the European Union. The letter stated that British "business needs unrestricted access to the European market of 500 million people in order to continue to grow, invest, and create jobs. We believe that leaving the EU would deter investment, threaten jobs, and put the economy at risk. Britain will be stronger, safer, and better off remaining a member of the EU".
Politicians
Only politicians who held positions that differed from the party line or whose party was officially neutral are listed here.
Conservative Party
Within the Conservative Party (which was officially neutral), 25 of the 30 Cabinet Ministers including the Prime Minister, specifically:
Others included former Prime Minister John Major, former party leader William Hague, former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine, David Willetts, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Ken Clarke, and former ministers Edwina Currie and Baroness Warsi (who, it was alleged, supported Leave, despite the Vote Leave side not being aware of her support prior to the allegations).
The majority of the Conservative Party's 330 MPs announced that they would campaign for Britain to remain in the European Union. Including Cabinet Ministers, the list included:
The list of Conservative Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) that announced that they would campaign for Britain to remain in the European Union is:
Other Conservatives supporting a Remain vote were:
- Stephen Greenhalgh, the Deputy London Mayor until May 2016.
- Stanley Johnson, former Conservative MEP and environmentalist, the father of Vote Leave Campaigner Boris Johnson
- Chris Patten, former Chairman of the Conservative Party
- Ruth Davidson, Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party
Scottish Conservative MSPs also included Miles Briggs, Peter Chapman, Jackson Carlaw, John Lamont, Alex Johnstone, Rachael Hamilton, Elizabeth Smith, Donald Cameron, Adam Tomkins, Douglas Ross, Brian Whittle, Finlay Carson and Annie Wells.
Independent
- Sylvia Hermon (MP for North Down);
- Jeffrey Evans, 4th Baron Mountevans, Lord Mayor of London.
International figures
From other European Union member states
Other countries
International organisations
- European Central Bank
- Group of Seven (G7)
- G-20 major economies
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
- World Bank
- International Monetary Fund
- North Atlantic Treaty Organisation(NATO)
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
- Unite the Union (British and Irish)
Businesses
Newspapers and magazines
British newspapers and magazines
Foreign newspapers and magazines
- Algemeen Dagblad (the Netherlands)
- Der Spiegel (Germany)
- Il Sole 24 Ore (Italy)
- Irish Independent (Ireland)
- Le Soir (Belgium)
- Birmingham City Council (Labour controlled)
- Bristol City Council (Labour controlled)
- Camden London Borough Council (Labour controlled)
- Cardiff City Council (Labour controlled)
- City of London Corporation (Independent control)
- Glasgow City Council (Labour controlled)
- Leeds City Council (Labour controlled)
- Leicester City Council (Labour controlled)
- Liverpool City Council (Labour controlled)
- London Assembly (No overall control)
- Manchester City Council (Labour controlled)
- Milton Keynes Council (No overall control)
- Newcastle City Council (Labour controlled)
- Nottingham City Council (Labour controlled)
- Redbridge London Borough Council (Labour controlled)
- Sheffield City Council (Labour controlled)
Organisations
Trade Unions
The Trades Union Congress (TUC), representing 52 British Trade Unions, endorsed Britain remaining in the EU. All but a few of its member unions were expected to urge voters to stay in the EU.
Other organisations
Noted individuals
Healthcare professionals letter
In a letter to The Times, around 200 healthcare professionals defended the EU as an overall benefit to UK public health, the NHS and health research. Sections from the letter stated "As health professionals and researchers we write to highlight the valuable benefits of continued EU membership to the NHS, medical innovation and UK public health". "We have made enormous progress over decades in international health research, health services innovation and public health. Much has been built around shared policies and capacity across the EU". "EU trade deals will not privatise the NHS as the EU negotiating position now contains clear safeguards. Decisions on NHS privatisation are in UK government hands alone. EU immigration is a net benefit to our NHS in terms of finances, staffing and exchanges". "Finally, leaving the EU would not provide a financial windfall for the NHS". Signatories included:
Royal Society letter
Led by Professor Stephen Hawking, more than 150 notable academics, all Fellows of the Royal Society, signed a letter to The Times newspaper setting out their position on the European Union that leaving the bloc would damage science and research. They included:
University leaders letter
Over 100 UK university leaders signed an open letter to The Sunday Times supporting UK membership of the EU. They stated that "Inside the EU, we are better able to collaborate with partners from across Europe to carry out cutting edge research, from medical and healthcare advances, to new materials, products and services. In the EU, the UK is also a more attractive destination for global talent, ensuring that our students are taught by the best minds from across Europe. This has a direct impact on our economy, driving growth, generating jobs and ultimately improving people's lives". Signatories included:
Creative Industries letter
Almost 300 of the world's biggest creative industries names signed a letter to support keeping Britain in the EU, including (but not limited to) the names listed below. A Creative Industries Federation survey also revealed that 96% of its members supported remaining in the EU. The letter stated that "Britain is not just stronger in Europe, it is more imaginative and more creative, and our global creative success would be severely weakened by walking away". Signatories included:
Economists' letter
In a letter to The Times, 279 economists stated that Brexit would "entail significant long-term costs". The signatories wrote, "focusing entirely on the economics, we consider that it would be a major mistake for the UK to leave the European Union." At the time of publication the letter had 199 signatories. A further 80 signed after publication.
Lawyers' report
Around 300 lawyers signed a report on UK membership of the EU and the alternatives. They stated: "we recognised how much of the debate on the UK's membership of the EU is based on a lack of information, misconceptions, or, worse, misinformation [...] Ultimately, we believe a sensible judgment on EU membership can be made only on the basis of reliable evidence". The signatories "consider that the UK's interests are best served by remaining in the EU".
Historians letter
In a letter to the Guardian, more than 300 prominent historians urged the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union. The letter said, "On 23 June, we face a choice: to cast ourselves adrift, condemning ourselves to irrelevance and Europe to division and weakness; or to reaffirm our commitment to the EU and stiffen the cohesion of our continent in a dangerous world." Notable signatories included:
Armed Forces and Security Services
- Sir Jonathan Evans, former Director General of MI5
- Eliza Manningham-Buller, former Director General of MI5
- Sir John Sawers, former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service(MI6)
- Sir Hugh Orde, former president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, and former Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland
- Lynne Owens, Director-General of the National Crime Agency
- General Lord Dannatt, former Chief of the General Staff
- General Sir Rupert Smith, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe
- Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszeley, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe
- Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, former First Sea Lord
- Lord Stirrup, Marshal of the Royal Air Force, former Chief of Defence Staff
- Robert Wainwright, director of Europol
- Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Shirreff, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of NATO
- Peter Carington, 6th Baron Carrington, former Secretary General of NATO
- Field Marshal Edwin Bramall, Baron Bramall, former Chief of Defence Staff, British Army
- Admiral of the Fleet Michael Boyce, Baron Boyce, former Chief of Defence Staff, Royal Navy
- General Sir Mike Jackson, former Chief of the General Staff, British Army.
- Lieutenant General Sir Rob Fry, former Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Royal Marines
- Jonathan Shaw, Major-General, British Army.
Letters to The Guardian by European writers
On 4 June 2016, The Guardian newspaper published a number of 'letters to Britain' by European (non-British) writers and intellectuals giving their opinion on the referendum and Britain's place in Europe. All of the letters expressed support for remain. The writers were:
- Elena Ferrante, Italian
- Javier Marias, Spanish
- Timur Vermes, German
- Anne Enright, Irish
- Yanis Varoufakis, Greek
- Riad Sattouf, French
- Jonas Jonasson, Swedish
- Kapka Kassabova, Bulgarian
- Slavoj Zizek, Slovenian
Nobel Prize laureates letter
On 10 June 2016, The Daily Telegraph published a letter signed by 13 winners of the Nobel Prize expressing the view that being part of the EU is good for British science and that is good for Britain.
- Dr Sydney Brenner, Laureate, Physiology or Medicine 2002
- Sir Martin Evans, Laureate, Physiology or Medicine 2007
- Sir Andre Geim, Laureate, Physics 2010
- Sir John Gurdon, Laureate, Physiology or Medicine 2012
- Professor Peter Higgs, Laureate, Physics 2013
- Sir Tim Hunt, Laureate, Physiology or Medicine 2001
- Dr Tomas Lindahl, Laureate, Chemistry 2015
- Sir Kostya Novoselov, Laureate, Physics 2010
- Sir Paul Nurse, Laureate, Physiology or Medicine 2001
- Professor John O'Keefe, Laureate, Physiology or Medicine 2014
- Sir Richard Roberts, Laureate, Physiology or Medicine 1993
- Sir John Sulston, Laureate, Physiology or Medicine 2002
- Sir John Walker, Laureate, Chemistry 1997
Nobel Prize in Economics laureates letter
On 19 June 2016, The Guardian published a letter signed by 10 winners of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, expressing the view that the "economic argument" was clearly in favour of continued UK membership within the EU.
- George Akerlof, Laureate, 2001
- Kenneth Arrow, Laureate, 1972
- Angus Deaton, Laureate, 2015
- Peter Diamond, Laureate, 2010
- James Heckman, Laureate, 2000
- Eric Maskin, Laureate, 2007
- Sir James Mirrlees, Laureate, 1996
- Christopher A. Pissarides, Laureate, 2010
- Robert Solow, Laureate, 1987
- Jean Tirole, Laureate, 2014
Maps Endorsements in the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016
Leave
Registered political parties
Parties organised in more than one of the Home Nations:
- British Democratic Party
- Britain First
- British National Party (BNP)
- Liberal Party
- Independence from Europe
- Liberty GB
- New Communist Party of Britain
- Communist Party of Britain (Marxist-Leninist)
- Libertarian Party (UK)
- Communist Party of Britain
- National Front (UK)
- Respect Party
- Social Democratic Party (SDP)
- Socialist Labour Party
- Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
- UK Independence Party (UKIP)
- The Justice & Anti-Corruption Party
Parties in England:
- English Democrats
- Putting Hartlepool First
Parties in Scotland:
- A Better Britain - Unionist Party
- Scottish Democratic Alliance
- Scottish Libertarian Party
- Solidarity
Parties in Northern Ireland:
- Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)
- Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV)
- People Before Profit Alliance
- Éirígí
Business leaders
Politicians
Only politicians who hold positions that differ from the party line or whose party is officially neutral are listed here.
Conservative Party
Within the Conservative Party (which was officially neutral): Five Cabinet members:
At the time the referendum was called, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions was Iain Duncan Smith, who also supports leave. He subsequently resigned following the 2016 United Kingdom budget. Some suspected his resignation was due to his support for British withdrawal from the EU, but Duncan Smith has denied this, stating that such allegations were a "deliberate attempt to discredit" him.
As well as these ministers, the former Mayor of London Boris Johnson; the Conservative candidate for the 2016 mayoral election, Zac Goldsmith; former leader Michael Howard, former Defence Secretary Liam Fox and the leader of the Welsh Conservative Party Andrew R.T. Davies campaigned to leave. The party campaign to exit the EU is "Conservatives for Britain" which is headed by two former Chancellors of the Exchequer, Lord Lawson (Nigel Lawson) and Lord Lamont (Norman Lamont).
Many other Conservative MPs have announced that they will campaign for Britain to vote to Leave:
- Conservatives MEPs include Daniel Hannan, Andrew Lewer, Emma McClarkin, Amjad Bashir, David Campbell-Bannerman and Syed Kamall
- Conservative peers include Lords Trimble (David Trimble), Tebbit (Norman Tebbit), Kalms (former Tory treasurer and former Dixons Retail chairman), The Marquess of Lothian (Michael Ancram), and Lord Framer, former treasurer, Lord Dobbs, Baron Leach and former deputy party chairman Lord Ashcroft
- The Bow Group, a Conservative think-tank, is also lending its support to the Leave.EU campaign.
- Scottish Conservative MSPs include Margaret Mitchell, Graham Simpson, Alexander Stewart, Ross Thomson, Gordon Lindhurst and Oliver Mundell.
- Former Conservative MPs Esther McVey (Wirral West (2010-2015)), Louise Mensch (Corby (2010-2012)), Michael Portillo (Enfield Southgate), Ann Widdecombe (Maidstone), Warwick Lightfoot and Teddy Taylor (Glasgow Cathcart)
Labour Party
Within the Labour Party (which supports Remain): Labour Leave is headed by donor John Mills.
Labour MPs supporting a Leave vote:
- John Mann (Bassetlaw)
- Kate Hoey (Vauxhall)
- Frank Field (Birkenhead)
- Gisela Stuart (Birmingham Edgbaston)
- Graham Stringer (Blackley and Broughton)
- Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North)
- Roger Godsiff (Birmingham Hall Green)
- John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) - frontbench member; Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party
- Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)
- Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley)
Labour MSPs:
- Elaine Smith.
Former Labour MPs:
- Tom Harris (Glasgow South (2001-2015)
- Ian Davidson (Glasgow South West (1992-2015)
- Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby (1977-2015)
- Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh South 1987-2010)
Green Party
Within the Green Party (which supports Remain): the Green Leaves organisation is campaigning on behalf of Green Party members who advocate a leave vote. Member of the House of Lords and former London Assembly Member Jenny Jones (Baroness Jones) campaigned to leave.
Liberal Democrats
Within the Liberal Democrats (which supports Remain): the Liberal Leave campaign is headed by former Hereford MP, Paul Keetch.
Scottish National Party
Within the SNP (which supports Remain): former SNP deputy leader and MP Jim Sillars and former SNP leader and MP Gordon Wilson have endorsed a leave vote in the referendum. Former Scottish government minister Alex Neil declared that he has voted leave and that several of his fellow SNP MSPs did likewise. There are multiple groups for SNP members advocating a leave vote, such as SNP Vote Leave and SNP GO!.
Ulster Unionist Party
Within the UUP (which supports Remain): Harold McKee MLA and former leader Tom Elliot MP
Independent
- Lord Owen, currently an independent Social Democrat peer, former Labour Foreign Secretary and leader (and co-founder) of the Social Democratic Party.
- Lord Kilclooney, currently a crossbench peer, former Ulster Unionist Party MP and MEP.
- Lord Stoddart, member of the House of Lords since 1983 (formerly a Labour peer) and Independent Labour peer since 2002.
International figures
From other European Union member states
Other countries
- John R. Bolton, American diplomat and former US ambassador to the United Nations.
- Swapan Dasgupta, senior Indian journalist and Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha.
- Jim DeMint, former Republican U.S. Senator from South Carolina and President of the Heritage Foundation
- John Howard, former Prime Minister of Australia
- Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, former Icelandic Minister of Health and MP for the Icelandic Independence Party.
- Mike Huckabee, Republican presidential candidate in 2008 and 2016 and former governor of Arkansas.
- Johnny Ingebrigtsen, member of the Norwegian Parliament for the Socialist Left Party.
- David Leyonhjelm, Australian Liberal Democrat Senator
- Ola Borten Moe, Norwegian Member of Parliament
- Deepak Obhrai, Canadian Conservative MP and Official Opposition Critic for International Development
- Liv Signe Navarsete, Norwegian former leader of the Centre Party and government minister.
- James Paterson, Australian Liberal Senator.
- Rand Paul, former Republican Presidential candidate 2016 and U.S. Senator from Kentucky.
- Ron Paul, former United States Congressman and Republican presidential candidate in 2008 and 2012.
- Winston Peters, leader of the New Zealand First party and former deputy prime minister of New Zealand.
- Lukas Reimann and Thomas Aeschi, members of the National Council for the Swiss People's Party.
- Sir David Tang, Hong Kong businessman and socialite.
- Donald Trump, President of the United States and entrepreneur.
- Sebastian Vallin, leader of Liberala partiet
- Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, leader of Centre Party (Norway)
- Andrew Scheer, Conservative Party of Canada MP and Opposition House Leader (later became Conservative leader in 2017).
Businesses
- Aspall Cider, cider manufacturers
- JCB, manufacturing company
- Tate and Lyle, agribusiness
- Wetherspoons, pub chain
Newspapers and magazines
British newspapers and magazines
Foreign newspapers and magazines
- National Review, US current affairs magazine
- Bromley London Borough Council (Conservative controlled)
- Havering London Borough Council (Conservative-Residents controlled) became the first council in the UK to back Brexit.
- Lincolnshire County Council (Conservative controlled)
- Portsmouth City Council (Conservative minority)
- Thanet District Council (UKIP controlled)
- Thurrock Council (UKIP - Conservative controlled)
Organisations
Trade unions
- Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF)
- Bakers, Food and Allied Workers' Union (BFAWU)
- Indian Workers' Association
- National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)
- Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA)
Other organisations
- Bangladesh Caterers Association UK
- Bow Group
- The Bruges Group
- Commonwealth Freedom of Movement Organisation
Noted individuals
Officially endorse neither side
Registered political parties
- Conservative Party - allows members free choice, suspending collective ministerial responsibility.
- Official Monster Raving Loony Party - supports a vote on "In", "Out" or "Shake it all about".
- Socialist Equality Party - supports an electoral boycott.
- Women's Equality Party - non-partisan on the issue, argues that EU gains on women's rights should not be lost if Britain withdraws.
Businesses
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Morrisons
- Sainsbury's
- Tesco
- South West Trains
Newspapers and magazines
- i
- Yorkshire Post
International figures
- Ted Cruz, US Senator and 2016 Republican presidential candidate
- Gary Johnson, 2016 Libertarian Party presidential candidate
- Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
- Paul Ryan, Speaker of the US House of Representatives
- Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
Organisations
- 38 Degrees - supports giving clear information about the referendum and the European Union
- Church of England
- Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General, stated Commonwealth had no unified position on Britain should stay or go, but that the idea to replace the EU with the Commonwealth is a false choice.
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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