The second major debate of the European Union referendum campaign is to grace Central London, following the defeat of Labour’s Carwyn Jones at the hands of the UK Independence Party’s Nigel Farage earlier this month.
The debate, to be hosted in March, will feature former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, alongside his debating partner, for Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson.
The pair will square off against the big beast of the Out campaign: Nigel Farage, and the former Chancellor Lord Lawson.
The debate will be held at the Emmanuel Centre in Westminster, and tickets can be booked online now.
The news comes as the ‘In’ campaign’s leader was ridiculed for claiming that he voted to stay in the European Union in 1975. In fact in 1975 there was no European Union, and no vote on the matter.
Lord Rose also claimed this morning that immigration should not take up a lead part of the EU referendum debate – presumably because the facts and figures don’t suit his argument.
The event is being hosted by the Guardian, which has a pro-EU editorial position, and will be hosted by the newspaper’s incoming political editor Anushka Asthana.
They state: “2016 is set to be the decisive year for the UK’s position in Europe. With Cameron on course to reach a deal at the crucial EU summit in February, the Prime Minister has hinted the referendum on membership of the EU could be called as early as June 2016. As the different campaigns gear up, the Guardian brings together the key commentators on both sides of the debate as we discuss the future of the UK in Europe.”
Mr. Farage told Breitbart London: “Very much looking forward to debating this biggest of all political issues with my old friend Nick Clegg on the other side. I will once again be setting out why I believe the UK would be better off outside of the EU so that we can control our own borders, make our own laws and negotiate our own trade deals globally.”