Loreto students have voted in favour of remaining in the European Union. In a mock referendum run yesterday, the vote was 389 in favour of remain, with 72 for leave. The vote was the culmination of a series of events run by Loreto’s Politics Society and Debate Club.

Prior to Easter, we hosted a debate on the European Union with academic and journalist Andrew Mycock, former Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies, co-founder of ‘Discuss Manchester’ Michael Taylor, and Amy Hopkinson, Chair of Manchester Women’s Equality Party.

Students also ran campaigns within college, producing posters and videos to promote the arguments for Remain and Leave. A lively debate included questions on trade, sovereignty and security, with both sides putting up passionate and well-researched arguments – and all the while avoiding rancour and personal attacks!

On Wednesday, polling stations were open around college all day. Haneen Zeglam, who spoke on the Remain team and also helped run a polling station, said “The Loreto referendum gave us as students a chance to engage with and understand one of the biggest political topics of our time. It allowed us to express our own opinions on a debate that has largely ignored our voices.”