After months of fierce and fractious debate, people are finally making their way to polling stations to have their say in the biggest vote in a generation.
Having remained silent on the issue until now, Conservative Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing has had her say on the EU referendum in this exclusive article for the Epping Forest Guardian.

“I have been talking to a great many local people about the forthcoming referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union. 

I appreciate the many arguments that have been made both for Leave and for Remain, and I understand that people are fed up being bombarded with ‘facts’ and ‘figures’. 

Most people tell me that what they really want are the straightforward facts. 

The issue is, however, not at all straightforward. 

The two campaigns are trying to convince people of the ‘facts’ as they see them. 

But the consequences of choosing either to remain in or to leave the EU are inevitably uncertain.

It is important that we are honest. 

Staying in the EU has risks. 

Leaving the EU has its risks too.

As Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons I have a duty to be impartial so I am not taking an active part in either campaign.

Many people who live in Epping Forest have, however, asked me how I am going to cast my personal vote.  

You deserve a straight answer.  

I have decided that I will vote to leave the European Union.  

I do not, however, seek to persuade you to vote one way or the other.

I simply believe that, while the European Union was a great force for peace and prosperity during the last century, we must now look forward, not backwards.  

The EU is yesterday’s game.  

There is a wider world out there in which the UK must play its part. 

That is our responsibility. 

That is our challenge.”