It's good to see the debate on the European Referendum being played out with such vigour in the pages of The Westmorland Gazette.

I would like to suggest a few reasons for remaining within the EU.

First, the question of sovereignty: in a complex and increasingly inter-dependent world sovereignty lies in partnership, international cooperation and global inter-connectivity.

Our sovereignty resides in our capacity to reach out across national and cultural boundaries - not in pulling up the drawbridge.

Second, the question of immigration: immigrants to this country have provided - and continue to provide - a vital resource within and across the region. They help ensure that our National Health Service, our service industries and a wide range of other amenities and facilities run efficiently and effectively. Our cultural and ethnic diversity is a strength - it is not something to be afraid of.

Third, the question of the economy: the austerity policies that are blighting our local communities, depleting our public services and privatising our public spaces are driven as much by Westminster as they are by the the European economic policy.

It is the European Convention of Human Rights that upholds worker rights, gay and lesbian rights, and the right to privacy - not those who (within both the Brexit and Remain camps) vehemently oppose it.

There's also an ethical question: What kind of a people do we want to be? Outward-looking or inward-looking, gregarious and magnanimous or introspective and self-interested?

And there's a moral question: How do we want to treat others? As outsiders or partners, foreigners or fellow citizens?

These ethical and moral questions point to another Europe: a socially just and culturally inclusive Europe. It is that other Europe that many of us have continued to argue for over the last 50 years.

That is why I - and many others - will be voting to continue our struggle within Europe.

Europe is desperately in need of democratic reform, but we are better placed to bring about that reform by remaining in Europe rather than exiting and thereby isolating ourselves.

Professor Jon Nixon

Kendal