Sunday 22 May 2016

Celebrities From Cornwall Come Out For Remain Vote



Penzance's Thandie Newton and Redruth's Dame Kristin Scott Thomas have joined celebrities who want us to stay in the EU.

Film directors, actors, comedians and artists - and even the Poet Laureate - are named in a letter to The Guardian backing the Remain campaign.

The movie directors named include Danny Boyle, Mike Leigh and Richard Curtis, along with writers including spy author John le Carre.

Film actors include Benedict Cumberbatch, Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham Carter, Jude Law, Juliet Stevenson and Keira Knightley.

Three knights of the screen - Sir Derek Jacobi, Sir John Hurt and Sir Patrick Stewart - are named, along with comedians Eddie Izzard, Jo Brand and Steve Coogan, and the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy.

The artists declare: "From the smallest gallery to the biggest blockbuster, many of us have worked on projects that would never have happened without vital EU funding or by collaborating across borders.

"Britain is not just stronger in Europe, it is more imaginative and more creative, and our global creative success would be severely weakened by walking away.

"Leaving Europe would be a leap into the unknown for millions of people across the UK who work in the creative industries, and for the millions more at home and abroad who benefit from the growth and vibrancy of Britain's cultural sector.

"From the Bard to Bowie, British creativity inspires and influences the rest of the world. We believe that being part of the EU bolsters Britain's leading role on the world stage.

"Let's not become an outsider shouting from the wings."

The pro-EU letter, which risks being dismissed by Leave campaigners as 'Luvvies for Brussels' and a stitch-up by 10 Downing Street, follows a number of celebrity endorsements for Brexit.

England cricket legend Sir Ian Botham hit Brussels for six last month by branding the European Union a "racket" and urging Britons to "reclaim our basic sovereignty".

Veteran movie star Sir Michael Caine was praised by UKIP leader Nigel Farage earlier this year when he hit out at Brussels' "faceless civil servants".

Duncan Bannatyne, of TV's Dragons Den and I'm A Celebrity, has used his Twitter account to make a series of anti-Brussels statements.

In 2014 the businessman told his followers: "We must leave the EU ... MUST. There are many, many reasons but when I consider them all I know we are better off out of it."

Former footballer Sol Campbell, who played for England, Spurs and Arsenal, has said he backs Brexit because freedom of movement rules mean young British players are "crowded out".

He said: "If we want to see more English stars like Harry Kane rise through the ranks we should take back control - and Vote Leave."

And Downtown Abbey creator and Tory peer Julian Fellowes has called for Britain to cut ties with the "anti-democratic" EU.

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