HARD-hitting arguments on whether the UK should leave the EU will be made at a free debate at Farnham Maltings on Thursday, June 9.

The discussion will be headed by a four-strong panel featuring former MEP Robert Evans and Lib Dem spokesman Baroness Parminter on the remain side, with Sir Gerald Howarth MP and John Petley, operations manager for the Campaign for an Independent Britain on the leave side.

Panel members will also debate questions from residents sent in advance, and roving microphones on the night will ensure the audience can also put their own questions.

Following on from the successful General Election Hustings at the Maltings in April 2015, the referendum debate will give people of the town the chance to hear the arguments and have their say in the run-up to voting on Thursday, June 23.

Remain speakers:

• Robert Evans was a Member of the European Parliament for the Labour and Co-operative Parties, representing London from 1994–2009 and is now Surrey county councillor for Stanwell and Stanwell Moor. In the European Parliament he had a focus on Transport and Tourism, Citizens’ Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs and was chairman of the European Parliamentary Labour Party from 2004 to 2007.

• Baroness Parminter was created a life peer in July 2010. She is the Liberal Democrats’ spokesperson on the Environment and Rural Affairs and was a member of the House of Lords EU Select Committee on agriculture, fisheries, environment and energy until May 2015. She was a trustee of the think tank, IPPR and the former vice-president of the RSPCA.

Leave speakers:

• Sir Gerald Howarth MP has been Member of Parliament for Aldershot since 1997 and is a key spokesperson for Vote Leave. Sir Gerald has opposed Britain’s inclusion in the EU since the UK first joined in 1975 and claims to have voted against every single European treaty in Parliament ever since. His particular focus will be on the role of the European Commission & UK Sovereignty and will also use his experience as the former Minister for International Security Strategy to argue against the EU’s ‘defence identity’.

• John Petley is the operations manager for the Campaign for an Independent Britain and formerly worked as a researcher for UKIP in the European Parliament in Brussels. He is also author of the book, ‘Top 10 reasons to leave the EU’.

The debate is free to attend but tickets will be required. They can be obtained by calling the box office on 01252 745444 or by visiting farnhammaltings.com.

Advance questions should be left at the box office or emailed to jon.mileman@farnham

maltings.com before midday on the day of the debate.