A People’s Vote with an option to Remain is the best way to protect young people from the effects of Brexit, Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has said.
East Belfast MLA Mr Lyttle was speaking after pupils from a number of local schools took part in a walkout to call for a People’s Vote. Students from Lagan College, Wellington College, Methodist College and Our Lady and St Patrick’s College joined the event.
It was co-ordinated by the Our Future Our Choice NI group, which is campaigning for a People’s Vote, and is part of a series of events across the UK.
“Recent research by Thomas Peto, an economic researcher at the University of Oxford, shows young people will lose as much as £108,000 in earnings by 2050 under a no-deal Brexit. Even a soft Brexit will leave them up to £32,000 worse off. This shows young people will lose out more than most from Brexit if it takes pace,” said Mr Lyttle.
“Since the initial referendum, more than 1.4 million young people have joined the electoral register. As the majority for Leave was 1.26 million, those new voters could tip the balance in favour of Remain. While not all young people will support Remain, evidence suggest the majority does.
“A People’s Vote with an option to Remain is the best way to ensure young people – as well as others – are protected from the damage Brexit is going to cause, while stopping the potential compromising of their future.”