I AM WRITING regarding the article published in The Argus on Friday November 15 regarding comments I made on Question Time last week as an audience member.

Having read the comments below the article online, I felt it was necessary to respond to some of the falsehoods and misinformation.

I didn’t expect there to be such vitriol aimed at me, but obviously that was rather naive, given the nature of the whole Brexit debate. 

Clearly, I am a passionate advocate for remaining in the European Union.

>> Question Time: Tory branded 'childish and petulant' in heated Brexit clash

The debate I engaged in with the young Conservative supporter centred around my belief that in order for our country to move forward there needs to be some kind of compromise.

When I stated that it was “childish and petulant” I was referring to argument which is constantly pedalled by Brexiteers about how the only people who count are “the seventeen million”.

It wasn’t meant to be a personal attack on the young man. I am a secondary school English teacher and spend my days encouraging young people to have strong opinions and views.

Indeed, I believe the voting age should be lowered to 16. I am certainly someone who celebrates young people engaging in politics, whatever their particular stance.

Having never read the online comments below The Argus articles, I was rather shocked at the nature of the discussion.

Surely the purpose of the comment section is to engage in polite and respectful debate. I did not see any evidence of this.

In response to some of those comments I would like to state the following...

I’m not a “London snob”. I was born in Brighton, went to school here, and love this city. I was actually a paper girl for The Argus as a teenager.

I was not some kind of Labour “plant”. I was really excited to be asked to be a part of the audience. I’d applied twice before and not been picked.

I certainly wasn’t “gobby” and “moaning all night”.

Many people turned up with friends or partners, whereas I came alone. I made polite small talk to two gentlemen as we wrote down our questions, I stood by myself as we waited to go into the theatre, I chatted to the lady to my right and the gentleman to my left before the programme went live.

I feel really frustrated to be accused of something which is blatantly untrue.

It’s extremely disheartening to see the level of abuse aimed at people who just want to express their opinions.

The Brexit debate is so toxic but I will continue to express my belief that a second referendum is the answer.

You can, of course, disagree with me, but please can we keep the discourse polite, respectful and honest.

Rachel Cohen, Address supplied