Battle lines have been drawn in Richmond regarding the impact of a Brexit on the borough as June’s EU referendum approaches.

Twickenham MP Tania Mathias and her predecessor Sir Vince Cable have both said they will be voting for the UK to remain in the EU.

But Richmond Park MP and London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith has aligned himself firmly with the current Mayor of London Boris Johnson in the out camp.

Speaking to the Richmond and Twickenham Times, the Twickenham MP of 17 years Sir Vince said he believes the borough is “well educated” and that Mr Goldsmith does not represent the views of his constituents.

He said: “I am surprised he has taken that decision and I don’t think he reflects the views of his constituents on that.”

Sir Vince added: “I am a long-standing supporter [of the EU] – where I start from is the economic stuff, I’m not emotional about it.

“Like a lot of British people, I’m not good with foreign languages and I don’t have a cottage in France like a lot of other people - there are economic arguments about jobs.

“This is an area where a lot of people are involved in research labs such as NPL, universities like St Mary’s, Kingston and Roehampton which all very considerably from the EU budget.”

His views are echoed by the current MP for Twickenham Dr Mathias, who said the referendum represents “a choice between two imperfect options”.

She said: “I will be voting for the UK to remain a member of the European Union. I make no attempt to pretend that the EU is perfect, and the referendum will be a choice between two imperfect options.

“Whilst I wish that more could have been achieved, the Prime Minister has negotiated some worthwhile reforms, and I believe that at present we can and should work from within the EU as a proactive and influential member.

“We live in uncertain economic and geopolitical times – I do not believe that now is the time to take the risk of leaving.”

Mr Goldsmith’s campaign team said he did not wish to comment further on the matter but the Richmond Park MP said last month that the EU is “answerable to no one”.

Writing in his City AM column, he said: “The most important characteristic of any democracy is that it should be possible for voters to evict those who act in their name.

“The EU fails on that test. Real power in Brussels rests in institutions that are accountable to no one.

“I commend [David Cameron] for his efforts, but the deal on the table does not go far enough, and given that even in the face of the UK voting to leave, the EU is unwilling to entertain meaningful reform, it is unlikely we will see anything more in the years to come.

“So I believe we would be better off out of the EU, and I will be voting to leave.”

Former Ukip parliamentary candidate Barry Edwards said the EU is an “extreme socialist organisation”.

He added: “By supporting the EU, you are taking away powers from our own UK and local Government.

“This reassigning of power to Brussels cannot be in British or borough interests.”

  • Where do you stand on the EU debate and how do you think it will affect Richmond? Let us know by emailing lettersrtt@london.newsquest.co.uk.