EU referendum: These Dorset residents told us how they're going to vote and why

The Dorset residents intending to vote Remain

Fears of an uncertain economic future, the potential loss of jobs and a desire to maintain good international relations have been all been cited by Dorset voters as reasons for the UK to remain in the EU.

Those wishing to stay part of the union also told the Daily Echo that they had become increasingly concerned about the anti-immigrant rhetoric used by the Leave campaign.

Louis Rogers, 29, said he feels leaving the EU would present “too many uncertainties”.

“We can speculate all we like, but we don't actually know what is going to happen,” he said.

“We have enough financial issues in this country at the moment, let’s not open ourselves up to anymore.”

Thirty-year-old Hayley McDonough said the country could be “stepping into the unknown” with a Leave vote and that the economy would suffer.

“We would be going against all the people we have been partnered with for years,” she added.

And Chris Dahl, 41, said although he has sympathy with some of the Leave campaign’s arguments, he believes the UK would be stronger inside the EU and criticised the quality of the debate.

"Half of the rubbish they are arguing about is just that - it has felt at times more about these politicians stroking their own egos," he added.

This view was mirrored by 43-year-old Debbie Porter, who believes there has been too much misinformation presented and a recurring theme of scaremongering.

She said: “The risk associated with voting out is something we don't really understand or have a clear view about. To go through all that upheaval would be a bad idea.

"I also think a lot of the campaigning has become really racist and against what Britain stands for."

Twenty-three-year-old Tom Stewart, an artist, said he also dislikes some of the language used by Leave campaigners.

“I want to be able to work abroad and remaining in the EU makes this a lot easier,” he said.

Holly Ford 32, said she thinks a lot of European legislation helps protect the environment and workers’ rights.

“Things like the environmental regulation need to be implemented across Europe, so governed by Europe. Also I think it is important for our security to be united. United we are better positioned to fight organised crime and terrorism."

Recent graduate Lauren Emmett, 21, added: "I think our quality of living will decline outside of the European Union, and I also like the travel benefits of remaining in. Getting travel visas can be complicated. I think it would be a stupid move to leave.”

Tara Clark, 44, said she is concerned about jobs and the the potential impact of the UK operating outside of the EU could have on financial markets.

"We have already seen the pound dropping in value just because of heightened speculation about us leaving," she said.

"If that speculation turns into a reality then I really worry.

"The argument that we pay huge amounts to other countries and never see any return is too simplistic. The benefits we take from the European Union are huge, for workers' rights, for research, for science, for medicine and green energy. I will definitely be voting Remain."

The Dorset residents intending to vote Leave

THE EU was criticised as undemocratic, overly bureaucratic and facilitating an uncontrolled immigration policy that is putting unsustainable pressure on key services by Dorset’s Leave voters.

Residents also told the Daily Echo that they believe a Leave victory will energise the economy and open up fresh global trade opportunities.

Dom Cuschieri moved to the area from Malta with his family in the 1950s, but will vote Leave because he believes the EU takes more money from the UK than it gives back.

“I am an immigrant and I understand and appreciate the benefits, but you can have too much,” he said.

“I think you should be able to say this without it making you a racist.”

Twenty-three-year-old Gabrielle Jackson said she is concerned that the lack of control the country has over immigration from fellow EU members has put strain on infrastructure, and that the resulting population increase has placed too much pressure on the housing market.

"There are hardly any opportunities for young people, like myself, to get on the housing ladder,” she said.

"I just feel that with all the immigrants coming into this country, and all those set to come in, this added housing demand will just push up the prices even higher. It just doesn't feel like we are in control at the moment.”

Joyce Alice, who is originally from Jamaica, said: “I’ll be voting out. We need to look after our own businesses in this country and we don’t need Brussels to negotiate for us.

“Britain has the fifth largest economy in the world – do you really think we are too small to handle our own affairs?”

Zina Roworth said many people have forgotten what the original intentions of the common market were prior to its creation.

"We've become too engrossed in it,” she said. "Small independent business don't have a chance in Europe, the big boys have all the lawyers and the money."

Tony Wilson, 37, added: “How can Brussels negotiate the best deal on our behalf while also representing 27 other countries?

"This is our once in a life time chance to build a tiger economy outside the EU. The immigration issue doesn’t concern me so much, for me this about the EU becoming undemocratic and the people who run it becoming remote from normal members of society."

Pensioner Arthur Baggs said the UK had been misled in the 1970s before the previous referendum on Europe.

“People are not being told the facts - there is a lot of scaremongering,” he said.

Elizabeth Kay, 88, said she is concerned about the long-term intentions of the EU.

“I don't want a European army and I want my great grandchildren to grow up in a more peaceful world,” she said.

"There are too many people making a profit dealing with the EU countries, it means countries who are not in the EU we - England - cannot deal with them in the way we would like.”

And Michael Norman said David Cameron’s deal struck with other EU leaders had been a “kick in the teeth”.

"Why should we be paying all this money every day? I think if we Leave we will see a domino effect and see a lot of other countries coming out if we go too.”