BILLED as one of the most historic decisions the UK has been asked to make in a generation, the question of whether to stay in or come out of the European Union was given a lively airing in Alton on Monday.

Despite stiff opposition in England’s crunch Euro 2016 football clash with Slovakia, there was a strong turnout for the EU referendum debate at Alton Assembly Rooms hosted jointly by the Alton Herald and Alton Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Designed to provide the electorate with an opportunity to ask questions of informed panelists – two for Remain and two for Leave – the debate adopted a Question Time format, chaired by Reverend Andrew Micklefield, of the Parish of the Church of the Resurrection.

Following a welcome by Chamber of Commerce president Stephen Lewis, Rev Micklefield began proceedings with a minute’s silence in memory of Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox, a passionate campaigner for human rights and international development who was murdered as she prepared to hold a constituency surgery last Thursday.

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds formed part of the two-man ‘Stronger In’ side of the evening’s panel, with Mike Biden, of the European Movement, while Peter Baillie (UKIP) and Ian Brown, chairman of the south-east region of Business in Britain, represented ‘Vote Leave’.

A show of hands was taken among the audience, ranging in age from nonagenarians to students, which revealed a majority were expecting to vote Remain, with around a third Leave, and a handful undecided.

The panelists began by giving an explanation of their particular stance before the debate was opened to pre-submitted questions and questions from the floor.

Mr Hinds surprised his audience by revealing that he was a Eurosceptic. But he had decided that while the EU was far from perfect and needed improving, on balance the UK would be “stronger, safer and better off” in rather than out.

As an executive of the European Movement, Mike Biden endeavoured to dispel concerns over the level of control the EU has over the UK, emphasising that this country “is not run by the EU Commission”.

Voting to leave, Isle of Wight businessman Ian Brown felt otherwise, referring to the EU as an “undemocratic gravy train” for MEPs who “rubber stamped” legislation that had an adverse impact on the UK.

Mr Brown’s fellow ‘Vote Out’ panelist, UKIP member Peter Baillie, felt strongly that, despite ‘expert’ advice, in his opinion staying in the EU would not contribute to the growth of the UK.

It was, therefore, from quite different angles that they viewed the questions, giving some informative, illuminating and thought-provoking observations on issues ranging from the economy, immigration and defence to the environment, freedom of movement and education.

They were asked questions by a cross-section of the community, including the opening question by retired naval captain Bill Griffin on the relative contributions of NATO and the EU in maintaining peace in Europe to a question on air pollution by Lib Dem Christopher Lawrence. Labour supporter Barbara Burfoot asked that with 750,000 vacancies available in the UK, how could it be argued that immigration from the EU is damaging wages and job opportunities in this country?

And Alton woman Linda Schofield asked the panelists to flag up what they considered to be the best and the worst thing to come out of the EU. The Eurozone and the “yoyo-ing of the Commission between Brussels and Strasbourg” hit the negative button, with peace and prosperity and the single market viewed as positives. And Britain was doing very well out of it with more jobs created in the UK than the other 27 members and a strengthening economy, the audience heard.

But it was probably the young voice that made the greatest impact, with students Keiran Watkins and Edward Underwood flagging up concerns over the impact on education, travel and job opportunities should the UK decide to leave the EU, while law student Ellie Grant posed searching questions on the economy.

Commenting after the debate, Mr Lewis said: “The debate was both informative and very civilised. The audience kept their cool and the speakers made their points without shouting. That to me is what a civilised society is all about and is something that we should all cherish and protect as part of the British way of life.”

At the end of the debate a show of hands revealed a slight increase on the Remain side.