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UK Stars Back Remaining in EU in Letter to Newspaper | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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A file picture dated 28 May 2006 shows British actress Helena Bonham Carter arriving at the Palais des Festivals for the closing ceremony of the 59th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France.


United Kingdom’s TV stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Helena Bonham Carter are names among many other prominent celebrities from the world of arts who have signed a letter urging Britons to vote to remain in the European Union.

Many of Britain’s well known writers, musicians and best-known artists also showed their support by signing the letter in the Guardian newspaper that shows concerns of the country becoming “an outsider shouting from the wings” if Britons vote to leave the EU in a June 23 referendum. Of these famous faces are singer Paloma Faith, designer Vivienne Westwood and writer John Le Carre.

“Britain is not just stronger in Europe, it is more imaginative and more creative … Our global creative success would be severely weakened by walking away,” they said. The letter was coordinated by “Stronger In”, the official campaign to persuade voters to stay in the EU that is also backed by Prime Minister David Cameron. Noting that Cameron’s governing Conservative Party is deeply split over the issue.

The move by “Stronger In” is likely to be seen as an attempt to broaden the EU debate beyond economics and immigration.

Though opinion polls have given sharply different pictures of public opinion, betting odds on Friday indicated a 79 percent implied probability of Britain voting to stay in the EU.