In the run up to the EU referendum on June 23, the Guardian is asking people for their views on whether the UK should leave or remain.

Here, we speak to Mitchell Goldie, head of Vote Leave's campaign in North East London, about the issues surrounding the debate on immigration:

“Back in 1973, we were told we were joining a ‘common market.’ What we actually joined was a supranational political union.

Since that ill-fated Yes vote, we have seen our rights of self-government slowly eroded in the stealth creation of a United States of Europe, which has its own flag, national anthem, parliament, central bank, court of justice, and a vast civil service.

The EU already holds a huge amount of control over our financial services, fishing, farming, energy and trade. It dictates UK business and employment legislation and immigration rules. It seeks greater control over our law enforcement services, our foreign affairs and tax policy.

There is significant momentum behind plans for an EU-wide army and police force - we only have to read the EU’s Five Presidents report to see their ambitions lie in further advancement towards a political superstate.

In addition to this we send £350 million each week to Brussels for the privilege, that’s money that could be better spent on our priorities like the NHS.

One critical area where we have lost control - immigration - is at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds as we approach the referendum in June.

I am in favour of immigration. But let’s be clear - what most people want is a fair and controlled immigration system, one where we have the final say.

But in the EU, we don’t.

EU law demands that the UK has an open door to EU countries, which has resulted in a population the size of Newcastle arriving every year. It doesn’t take a genius to realise that this is unsustainable.

Not only has this put a great strain on school places and on public services like the NHS, it has also forced us to prevent people with much-needed skills from coming to Britain.

It means we have to turn away doctors, teachers, bright fee-paying students and entrepreneurs from our friends in the Commonwealth and beyond.

This is clearly unfair.

We have lost control of our borders, our economy and our democracy. The only way to install a fair and manageable immigration system is to take back control and Vote Leave on 23 June.”