THIS Thursday sees? the long awaited EU referendum. Hundreds of thousands of local people will be able to have their say in a decision that will not only affect us but our children and our children's children.

The referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union is one of the most important decisions this country will face in decades.

Our membership of the single market, the biggest free trade area in the world, has meant more jobs, lower prices and financial security for families in Sussex.

Being in the EU has boosted jobs, growth and investment in the South East: 500,000 regional jobs are linked to our trade with the EU.

We have also heard from a wide range of experts such as nine out of ten leading economists, the Governor of the Bank of England and the IMF that leaving the EU would cause an "economic shock" that would cost jobs, push up prices and damage living standards.

Brighton and Hove is a city which is founded on small businesses. In recent years we have seen record business start ups and unemployment falling year on year.

The EU allows these small businesses to expand and to trade with Europe in a way that would almost certainly be impossible otherwise.

The freedom of movement we enjoy as a member of the EU allows for the exciting exchange of cultures and ideas that we see today and we would be poorer without it.

I believe that Britain is stronger, safer and better off in a reformed EU. I will be voting for Remain.

This isn’t like a general election where we can change our minds every five years. If we vote to leave there is no going back – out is out.