Brexit – your chance to ask the experts

Posted on 3 May 2016

A distinguished panel of experts will argue the pros and cons of staying in Europe in a debate being organised by the University of York.

The debate, entitled UK and EU: Ask the experts, will take place on Thursday 12 May 6:00 – 7:30pm, just six weeks before the country goes to the polls.

The event is being held at the city’s Merchant Adventurers' Hall and will be an impartial, non-partisan analysis of the issues surrounding the debate on whether the UK should remain in the EU or exit.

It is organised by the University in collaboration with the UK in a Changing Europe initiative.

The speakers include:

Dr Angus Armstrong: Director of Macroeconomics, National Institute for Economic and Social Research and senior fellow of ‘The UK in a Changing Europe’
Dr Charlotte O’Brien: Senior Lecturer, University of York
Dr Simon Usherwood: Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Surrey and senior fellow of ‘The UK in a Changing Europe’
Dr Sofia Vasilopoulou: Lecturer in Politics, University of York and Commissioning Fund Awardee of ‘The UK in a Changing Europe’
Professor Catherine Barnard, Professor of European Union Law, University of Cambridge and senior fellow of 'The UK in a Changing Europe'

BBC Political Editor in Yorkshire, Len Tingle, will chair the debate.

Dr Armstrong will cover the economics of Brexit; Dr O’Brien will explore the spectrum of legal alternatives; Dr Usherwood will examine social media and how Britain is viewed from abroad; while Dr Vasilopoulou will examine democracy, public opinion and campaigns. Professor Barnard will talk on immigration and EU freedom of movement.

Members of the public are invited to attend and ask questions of the experts.

Dr Vasilopoulou, who helped organise the debate and a lecturer at the University’s Department of Politics, said: “My main objective is to promote evidence-based discussion on one of the most important questions facing this country for a generation.

“This is an issue of profound importance that will have a direct and long lasting impact on this country and beyond. It is vital that people are given all the information they need before making that decision.”

The debate is just one of many events taking place at the University linked to the Referendum. On Thursday 16 June, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Lord Lawson, Labour MP Yvette Cooper and Financial Times journalist Tony Barber will discuss the issues at a dedicated Festival Focus Day at The York Festival of Ideas.