Jobs focus from Yorkshire '˜in' campaigners

Linda McAvan predicted trade and the potential impact on jobs will be a major theme in the referendum campaign on EU membership expected in the coming months.

She was speaking at the launch of the Britain Stronger in Europe group’s Yorkshire campaign as David Cameron continued discussions in Brussels over his deal to stay in the EU.

The ‘in’ campaign argues leaving the EU would make it harder for Yorkshire firms to trade in Europe.

Ms McAvan, one of Yorkshire’s six MEPs, said: “When people actually think about the decision that they are going to have to take, which is a very serious decision, they are going to think about their own jobs, the people they know, their families our economy and our region which is a big manufacturing economy.

“We do export and I think we will hear more business voices saying ‘hang on a minute’ this is a very serious issue.”

An agreement between the Prime Minister and fellow EU leaders on changes to Britain’s membership terms is expected to trigger a referendum in June.

Ms McAvan said: “There is a danger of people bandying around this number, that number, that will make people make people fed up of listening about it.

“I think we have to keep coming back to the enormity of the decision. It is an enormous decision, there won’t be a second referendum. There’s a lot of talk of David Cameron’s reforms and the nitty-gritty but we’re not voting on his reforms, we’re voting whether or not to stay in the European Union.”