The Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, Leader of the House of Commons, will publically argue his support for Brexit at an EU referendum debate organised by Variety, the Children’s Charity on Tuesday 15th March. This will be a lively debate which will see ministers clash over whether Britain should leave the EU.
The session will be chaired by veteran broadcaster Jeremy Vine. Speaking for the Out argument, we have John Redwood MP, Steve Baker MP and Chris Grayling MP, former Secretary of State for Justice and currently Leader of the House of Commons. For the In argument, we have Anna Soubry MP, Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise, Emma Reynolds MP, former Shadow DCLG Secretary and FCO Minister and Baroness Sal Brinton, President of the Liberal Democrats.
John Redwood, MP for Wokingham, said: “Until now and until final negotiations are complete, Cabinet Ministers have been unable to speak out on Europe. We anticipate that the debate being hosted by Variety, the Children’s Charity will be one of the first opportunities a Cabinet Minister will have to be able to openly and publically debate the issue and most significantly, make the case for leaving Europe.
Now that we know the shape of the deal on offer to the UK from the EU, we expect there to be well-informed and lively exchanges from both sides.
This is a big moment for the future of UK democracy and for the future of the European Union, so we are urging people to attend so they can support their side of the argument, or if your mind isn’t made up, come to learn about the pros and cons.”
Harold Tillman CBE, Founder of Patrons of Variety, added: “As a charity, we are always looking at ways we can give our Patrons and corporate supporters the opportunity to hear from leading voices and engage in highly relevant debates. We are confident this event will entertain and inform in equal measure, whilst providing valuable support for disadvantaged children across the UK.”
The Stay or Leave? How should the UK vote on the European Union? debate will take place on the 15th March 2016 at Church House, Dean’s Yard, Westminster, London, SW1P 3NZ.
The event is being sponsored by MINT Partners, a division of BGC Brokers L.P., who provide wholesale brokerage services and Pagefield, an independent, award-winning communications agency.
For tickets please contact:
Jo-Anne Brown
0207 428 8129
jo-anne.brown@variety.org.uk
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For further information, please contact:
Eleanor Riddles, Pagefield: eleanor.riddles@www.pagefield.co.uk; 0203 327 4050
About Variety, the Children’s Charity
Variety, the Children’s Charity, believes that neither disability nor disadvantage should prevent a child from realising his or her full potential.
Since setting up its UK division in 1949, Variety has raised over £200 million and supported more than 800,000 children, affected by ill-health, disadvantage and disability.
With a focus on helping children to make the most of their childhood, Variety, the Children’s Charity, provides a wide range of services, each designed to deliver practical help that immediately improves the everyday lives of children and young people, across the UK.
Patrons of Variety is Co-Chaired by renowned entrepreneur and former chair of the British Fashion Council, Harold Tillman CBE, and Trevor Green, co-owner of the UK’s most prominent and successful independent film distribution company – Entertainment Film Distributors. Variety Patrons is an inner circle of major donors who support Variety, each pledging £10,000 a year for three years, to help provide vital funds for Variety’s programmes which include:
Sunshine Coaches – for schools and organisations that cater for children with special needs
Wheelchairs – tailored to each child’s particular medical condition
Great Days Out – for children who are disabled or disadvantaged
Specialist equipment – for sick or disabled children who are cared for at home
Grants for children’s hospitals and hospices – to help improve care and treatment
Equipment for youth clubs – so they can help children be part of their community – not part of a gang.
Neonatal Life-saving technology – for babies born with respiratory and other problems
Variety’s roots are firmly in the film and entertainment industry, having been founded when a newborn baby was abandoned in a cinema in Pittsburgh, USA. When all attempts to find the mother failed, a group of people from many different parts of showbusiness, who had recently formed a social and networking club (“Variety Club”), agreed to underwrite the cost of the child’s upbringing and education. From that single act of compassion, grew a worldwide charity that, today, has a global network of 43 offices in 13 countries.
Variety is a registered charity in England and Wales (209259) and Scotland (SC038505).
For more information, or to donate to Variety, please visit www.variety.org.uk
Follow Variety, the Children’s Charity, on www.facebook.com/VarietyGB
About MINT Partners
MINT Partners, a division of BGC Brokers L.P. (“MINT”) is built on a refreshingly different approach best described as ‘live and direct’.
Driven by voice and technology, we provide superior wholesale brokerage services and trading support with a global reach. Highly energised, the team has an enviable reputation for dynamic solutions across an impressive client base.
About Pagefield
Pagefield was founded in 2010 by Mark Gallagher, Oliver Foster and Sara Price. It specialises in corporate public relations and public affairs and has a permanent staff of 25 people, six advisory board directors and 20 associates.
