More than 100 people came to the EU referendum debate held in Selwyn’s Chapel on Friday May 27th. It was a passionate contest between the ‘Remain’ and ‘Leave’ sides, but conducted in a friendly spirit and with none of the personal attacks that have been part of the national campaign. Speaking on the pro-EU side of the argument were Sir Stephen Wall, a Selwyn alumnus who was the UK’s representative at the EU; Belinda Brooks-Gordon, representing Cambridge In Europe; and graduate student Genevieve Simpson. Opposing them were Simon Heffer, the journalist and historian; David Campbell-Bannerman MEP; and former MCR president Josh Maher. Speakers from the floor included undergraduates James Martin and Theo Demolder, along with a number of alumni and Friends of the college. Listen here to the whole 90 minutes of debate:
The result was a victory for ‘Remain’, who received 77 votes – against 19 for ‘Leave’. 14 people abstained. The photo below shows Simon Heffer and Stephen Wall outside Chapel after the debate, along with the broadcaster James Naughtie (centre) who did an excellent job as chairman.
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