With the EU referendum just around the corner councillors are fighting in the Brexit battle.

Borehamwood and Elstree Town Mayor Cllr Clive Butchins has revealed he will be voting to stay in the EU.

The Times Series asked Cllr Butchins on his views on the EU referendum on June 23.

He said: "I have received a letter from the Mayor of Offenburg in Germany (one of our twin towns) explaining how important she believes it is that we remain a member of the EU.

"I quote: “I am convinced that Great Britain has no chance of any influence in this changing world, if not together within Europe.”

"I completely concur. And I’ll tell you why. The main issues that are being banded about are:

"Immigration:

"I don’t believe that there would be much change to the pattern of immigration.

"It may become harder for EU nationals to come here, but most of those who do come or are already here are badly needed.

"If they couldn’t come or had to leave it would leave an enormous shortage of labour in some areas.

"This would also exacerbate the ability to build the necessary housing for the population which will continue to grow.

"As for nationals from countries outside the EU, their entry to here is already tightly controlled so not much would change there, but they would still try to enter the country illegally.

"The Economy:

"Here I remain unconvinced that there would be a major effect either way, but since the majority of respected commentators in the area suggest that leaving would have a detrimental effect on the nation’s economy, I am prepared to believe them.

"That is not why I support the “remain” campaign.

"The “leave” camp seem to think that the money we currently pay to the EU (after the rebate) could be re-deployed many times over to prop up the NHS, farmers etc. etc.

"I believe that to a large degree this destroys their credibility. Incidentally what the NHS needs is a reform as the world has moved on since 1948 and it needs to be brought up to date in the way it operates and is financed.

"Sovereignty:

"Yes, were we to leave the EU we would regain some of our rights to self-govern with lawmakers subject to our vote, however, this would not be to anything like the degree those who want to leave seem to imagine.

"I sincerely believe that anyone who thinks we would be free to make our own (in some cases bad) laws is completely deluded.

"In today’s connected world it just could not happen. We would still have an enormous democratic deficit.

"World Influence and the European Dream:

"This for me is the crunch argument. I cannot see that the UK would retain anything like the influence it currently has if it were to leave the EU.

"Sure, the dream of a federal Europe is probably not where we want to be, but we already have cast-iron op-outs from that prospect.

"What we have in the EU, though is something very special that I have seen with my own eyes: a lasting peace in Europe with nation being bound to nation in friendship and co-operation.

"Seeing those in our French twin town get on so well with their counterparts from Germany was an eye-opener. They do “twinning” so much better than we do.

"If we throw that away it may very well be the start of a break-up of the Union (both the EU and the United Kingdom) resulting eventually in much less co-operation between nations and even, eventually renewed wars in Europe – and not just on the Football pitch.

"Further afield, for the foreseeable future, the world is going to be dominated by the large players – Russia, China, the USA, India…and Europe will be our gateway to making our presence felt on a global stage.

"Please spread the word how important it will be to remain as part of the wonderful European Club and do not panic. We can still save the day."