British Mums Are Backing Brexit To Secure A Better Future For Their Children
A new survey has revealed the majority of British mums will vote to leave the EU [Photo: Rex Features/Bad Moms]
Mums are backing a European Union exit to secure a better future for their children, a new poll has revealed.
The referendum to decide whether or not to leave Europe takes place on June 23rd and according to this latest survey mums could hold a vital vote.
An online survey of 2,016 Netmums users found that 47% were planning to vote to leave the European Union, while just 36% wanted to stay and 17% were still unsure about how they would be voting, indicating that it’s women (and mums) who could be the key ‘swing voters’.
So why are so many mums in favour of leaving the EU? The survey revealed that the “future prospects for our children” was the biggest concern of respondents followed closing by the pressure on services such as schools and hospitals.
Maternity units have been especially hard hit with figures uncovered using freedom of information laws showing that women were turned away from labour units at their local hospital on at least 575 occasions last year, forcing some women to travel up to 50 miles to give birth. Latest figures from the National Audit Office also show the UK will be 900,000 school places short by 2024.
One of the biggest concerns for mums is pressure on services such as hospitals [Photo: Rex Features]
Netmums Editor in Chief, Anne Marie O’Leary said of the survey results:
“The EU referendum has come at a time when the full effects of Austerity Britain are being felt by families in households up and down the country, so it should come as no surprise to us that the referendum is becoming a vehicle for them to voice their dissatisfaction and concerns for their children’s futures,”
To help mothers make an informed choice, the parenting site hosted a live Q&A on the referendum with Yvette Cooper, from Stronger In, and Gisela Stuart, from Vote Leave, addressing the key concerns of mums when it comes to Britain staying in or leaving the EU.
Comparing the EU to a naughty child Gisela Stuart said of the vote to leave: “There comes a point when you need to say to a child, don’t do this. And then you finally have to say, you’re clearly not prepared to change and I think that’s what’s happening with the European Union. It’s not willing to change….”
But Yvette Cooper had a different viewpoint. “How many of us just walk away and just leave our children on their own? Or how many of us just end up saying we’re going to abandon our family? If we work together and we stick with it because when families fall apart we know we end up weaker whereas if we stick together and work at things you end up just being stronger, you end up having more influence, in practical terms you end up better off, in terms of jobs…,” she said.
Mums are also concerned about the lack of school places for their children [Photo: Rex Features]
Netmums Editor in Chief, Anne-Marie O’Leary believes mums could ultimately hold the key vote on the decision about whether or not to brexit.
“The EU Referendum is being hotly debated by mums, who are clearly concerned about how remaining or leaving the EU will affect their families’ welfare and children’s futures,” she said.
“Parents know that their decision will determine their children’s futures so both sides need to listen up to families’ concerns. This referendum is going to be a tightly run race - the mum vote is crucial.”
How will you be voting in the referendum? Let us know @YahooStyleUK
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