Agenda item

8.25pm – Councillor Max Schmid moved, seconded by Councillor Ben Coleman, the special motion in their names:

“This Council notes that 70% of residents in Hammersmith and Fulham who voted in the 23 June referendum voted to remain in the European Union.

The council resolves to observe the wish of the significant majority of its residents to remain in the European Union and advocate for the UK to retain the closest possible relationship with the other 27 EU Member States.

The council unreservedly condemns any suggestion that UK residents who are citizens of the 27 other Member States of the European Union should lose the right to live and work in the UK, and it resolves to write to the Home Secretary asking for legislation that guarantees this right.”

A speech on the special motion was made by Councillor Max Schmid (for the Administration).

Under Standing Order 15(e) (vi), Councillor Greg Smith moved, seconded by Councillor Donald Johnson, an amendment to the motion as follows:

“Delete second paragraph and insert:

This Council further notes that 17,410,742 votes for Britain to leave the European Union is the largest mandate ever given in British democratic history.

This Council believes in democracy and fully accepts the result of the referendum.

The Council unreservedly condemns any suggestion that current UK residents who are citizens of the 27 other Member States of the European Union should lose the right to live and work in the UK.  The Council resolves to urge the Government to ensure protections for these residents as well as protections for British citizens living within EU member states are paramount in the UKs negotiations to leave the EU.”

Speeches on the amendment to the special motion were made by Councillors Greg Smith, Donald Johnson, Michael Adam, and Mark Loveday (for the Opposition) and Councillors Ben Coleman, PJ Murphy, and Stephen Cowan (for the Administration). The amendment was then put to the vote and a roll-call was requested.

            FOR                            15

            AGAINST                  23

            NOT VOTING            1

The amendment was declared LOST.

Speeches on the substantive motion were made by Councillor Elaine Chumnery (for the Administration) and Councillor Robert Largan (for the Opposition). Councillor Max Schmid made a speech winding up the debate. The substantive motion was then put to the vote and a roll-call was requested.

            FOR                            23

            AGAINST                   0

            NOT VOTING            16

The substantive motion was declared CARRIED.

9:21pm – RESOLVED

This Council notes that 70% of residents in Hammersmith and Fulham who voted in the 23 June referendum voted to remain in the European Union.

The council resolves to observe the wish of the significant majority of its residents to remain in the European Union and advocate for the UK to retain the closest possible relationship with the other 27 EU Member States.

The council unreservedly condemns any suggestion that UK residents who are citizens of the 27 other Member States of the European Union should lose the right to live and work in the UK, and it resolves to write to the Home Secretary asking for legislation that guarantees this right.