The region’s MPs are all voting ‘yes’ to the EU in this summer’s referendum but some with more enthusiasm than others.

And one pointed out that the ‘terrific thing’ about the in/out EU vote is that – irrespective of the politicians – it will be the people’s choice whether the nation parts company or keeps the faith with the European Union on June 23.

Chester Labour MP Chris Matheson, who this week emailed while on an official visit to South America and the Falkland Islands, wrote: “I will be campaigning for Chester and the UK to remain in the EU. Just look up every time the Beluga flies out of Airbus with several million pounds of skilled manufacturing products from Broughton to know how important Europe is to our region.

The Beluga over the Airbus factory in Broughton

“Other big employers like Bristol Myers Squibb or MBNA run their European operations from Chester. It would be crazy for us to leave.

“This is not and can not be a referendum about immigration. It is about jobs and prosperity, being at the heart of the biggest trading block in the world with a seat at the table making the rules, not a bit part player moaning from the sidelines with no influence.

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'Tackling global problems together'

“The EU isn’t perfect: far from it. More reform is needed. But for the sake of jobs and prosperity, rights at work, consumer protection and protection of the environment, not to mention fighting crime and global terrorism, we have to vote to stay in the EU and tackle global problems together.”

His friend and Labour colleague, Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, shares a similar view.

Speaking on his mobile on the way back to London, Mr Madders attacked Boris Johnson for ‘political opportunism’ in this week deciding to join the leave-EU campaign with evidence he was contradicting his previous stance.

Boris Johnson in Chester city centre with Morgan and Lauren Wood from Saltney
Boris Johnson in Chester city centre during last year's election campaign with Morgan and Lauren Wood from Saltney

The former Labour group leader on Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) suspects Boris has the eye on the role of PM and needs to differentiate himself from rival George Osborne.

Related story: Eurosceptic Boris Johnson brushed aside political ambition claim on trip to Chester

Decidedly pro-EU, the former Chester-based employment lawyer, continued: “I think a lot of local industry would be at risk if we came out of Europe, particulary Airbus and Vauxhalls and a number of important employment rights we have got through Europe, I believe, would be taken away by this Conservative government if we came out of Europe.”

The British people will decide

Eddisbury Tory MP Antoinette Sandbach will be voting to stay in the EU despite concerns but is above all delighted the British people will have their say.

She said: “I will be voting to remain a member of the EU in the most part for the economic security it gives to our country at a time when we need it most. There are many things I dislike about the EU and the way that it is run and this has not been an easy decision for me.

Eddisbury MP Antoinette Sandbach

“I do however see the way that I vote as irrelevant to my constituents in Eddisbury, the Prime Minister has honoured our manifesto commitment to hold an in/out referendum on our membership of the EU and everyone gets a say; our votes all weigh the same at the ballot box whether we are a resident of Eddisbury or the Prime Minister himself.”

Related story: Pro-European leaflet delivered to Chester households ahead of EU referendum

Mrs Sandbach, a former Welsh Assembly member, feels the ‘best leadership’ she can offer is to provide the facts on both sides of the issue so will be organising a series of open events for constituents with a chance to ask questions.

Praise for PM

Conservative colleague Graham Evans, MP for Weaver Vale, takes a similar position and praised the Prime Minister for honouring his pledge to hold the in/out referendum.

He said: “In an age when sadly many believe that going back on your promises is considered something of a prerequisite to being a politician, I believe that David Cameron has demonstrated yet again his integrity and veracity. This means that for the first time in decades, the British people get to vote on our relationship with Europe.

Prime Minister David Cameron at Christleton High School during last year's election campaign with then Tory candidate Stephen Mosley

“The Chronicle is profiling the views of the region’s MPs on this subject, and whilst I applaud it for getting in on the debate, the terrific thing about this referendum is that in one fell swoop David Cameron has granted every person entitled to vote across the whole nation, the same power – we each get one vote.”

'A reluctant inner'

He added: “Having said that for what it’s worth, I am a ‘reluctant inner’. I am a Eurosceptic at heart, but I am also a pragmatist. If we knew in 1975 what we know today about Europe, I’m sure we would never have joined.

“However, we are where we are, and I believe that it is in Britain’s best interests from the point of view of national security and prosperity for us to remain in this club where we can help shape foreign and diplomatic policy.

"I am not an MP who wants to preach about the rights or wrongs of leaving or staying. I have the utmost respect for the British people, and I don’t believe they need MPs like me telling them what to think. On June 23rd, we all get a choice, we all get one vote, we all get a say.”