BILL Wiggin, Ledbury's MP, and Cllr Liz Harvey, a Herefordshire Councillor for Ledbury, have very different views on how to vote in the forthcoming EU referendum.

We asked them to set out their individual positions, to help the local electorate to decide.

Mr Wiggin said: "When we joined the common market in the 1970’s, we did so with the belief that it was for friendly trade with our European neighbours. Today we find ourselves tethered to a political union with no democratic accountability.

"The EU is quickly becoming a European State, where Britain must adhere to laws, directives and rules that we have not voted for. We are more than capable of making our own decisions and do not need unelected European Commissioners to tell us what to do.

"A vote to leave would mean putting a stop to the current out of control immigration system that means an open door to EU members. 'Deliberate' use of the NHS—use by those who come here specifically to receive free treatment or who come for other reasons but take advantage of the system when they're here—is hard to quantify. 'Normal' use of the NHS—by foreign visitors who've ended up being treated while in England—is estimated to cost about £1.8 billion a year.

"Only about £500 million of these costs is thought to be recoverable or chargeable at the moment. If we vote to leave the EU, we can take back control of our borders, and help the funding crisis that has gripped our health service.

If we vote to leave, we regain our seats on international institutions like the World Trade Organisation so we are a more influential force for free trade and international cooperation.

"British businesses should trade freely with the EU because as net importers, we buy more than we sell to Europe so it is not in their interest to push us away commercially. Leaving the EU will benefit our Farmers economically and allow the UK to regain national sovereignty.

"Of the 72 times the UK tried to block EU legislation, it failed 72 times. Bringing sovereignty back to the UK allows for more specific and appropriate regulation of agriculture. Farming is important. Affordable, healthy and quality food is vital to voters and therefore to good government. Why would any democracy damage that? Switzerland and Norway give their farmers more money than the EU does.

"Leaving the EU would lead to greater Government support for British agriculture. We have the most efficient farmers in Europe: let’s allow them to flourish by voting Leave on June 23.

"The Eurozone has severe economic problems. It has low growth, high levels of debt and high unemployment. If we stay in the EU we will foot the bill for the Eurozone’s failings and be penalised for having a successful economy.

"The EU’s unpaid obligations threaten to leave the UK with an £2.4 billion bill, after the referendum.

"We have seen tax payer’s money being used for scare mongering and the constant doing down of the U.K economy, which is a far greater risk to our prosperity than voting to leave the E.U. We are the fifth largest economy in the world. We need to be positive about our future."

Cllr Liz Harvey said: "If you’re one of the roughly 40% of people who have already decided to ‘Vote In’: congratulations and well done! You have made the right choice. Read no further.

"Move on and count how many times Harriet Baldwin appears in print or in pictures this week. By the way – she wants ‘In’ too.

"If you’re one of the roughly 40% of people determined to 'Vote Out’: you’d better not read any further either. I’ve only got 500 words here and that’s not going to be enough to argue you round. Bill Wiggin wants out – enough said.

With the time and space remaining, I’m going to concentrate on the 20% of you who have stayed awake, and are still agonising over which way to vote on the day. Well done for keeping an open mind; not long to go now. You hold the key to this referendum – your vote is golden, so please keep reading …

“Vote IN” because it’s time we started leading in Europe. Enough of the moaning about our share of the bill, like a mean old bore at the works outing. Let’s stop talking about ‘control’. Control is an illusion in today’s world. We need to begin to influence effectively within Europe. We have the strongest and best trained defence forces in NATO, maintaining security for all – let’s start using those defence relationships to strengthen and influence civil actions by EU members also in NATO. Let’s use our excellent intelligence and police forces to share best practice in tackling crime and terrorism inside Europe. Stability and security creates the firm foundation upon which everything relies.

“Vote IN” because it’s important to help to write the rules of the game: trade agreements; tax laws; reciprocal heath care; tourism and visa arrangements; environmental, pollution, food and drug standards, human rights, wildlife protection, workers’ rights, electoral reform and democracy, professional and academic standards. How can we all ‘play nicely’ together, whether its football or environmental protection or trade, if we don’t first agree and then abide by the rules? Which leads on to -

“Vote IN” because our economy and young people need diversity, opportunity and skills. Our growing economy needs access to more skilled workers than the UK alone can supply. Our young people, businesses and the NHS benefit from free movement within Europe, as do our retirees and pensioners living abroad. Our economic and democratic leadership is desperately needed inside Europe to help our partners rebuild strong, stable economies for themselves too.

“Vote IN” because we are about to become Europe’s largest economy. Our economic health relies on maintaining the momentum we have built based on trade with the world. Trade with close neighbours in Europe will become increasingly important as fuel/transport costs inevitably rise. Destabilising relationships with Europe as a market makes no sense for our long-term economic future.

“Vote IN” because it’s the positive choice for influence, sustainability, prosperity, stability, democracy, security, strength, progress, and peace."