THIS week you have a historic choice to make. We all have the opportunity to decide the future of Wales and the UK within the European Union. I will be voting to remain. Not because I am uncritical of the EU, it is far from perfect, but because I believe it is in Wales’ best interest for the UK to choose to stay.

The decisions made in Brussels affect us all, whether we are members or not, and by choosing to leave we will be shutting ourselves out of having a say. Wales cannot rely on Westminster to speak out on our behalf, it is through EU membership that we have a voice in the world.

There has been a barrage of scaremongering and myth pedalling from those on both sides of the debate in the run up to the vote, whether on the threat of war, or nonsense about illegal bunches of bananas. But the decision we all face this week is far too important for us to let misinformation drown out the facts.

The EU has brought real and substantial benefits to Wales. The South East has received funding from the EU that has helped people into work, improved the amenities we use, and boosted some of our poorest communities. The latest Welsh Government figures show that over 16,700 jobs have been created in the region by EU Structural Funds since 2007. We have seen fantastic initiatives, like the Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, that have been made possible by the EU.

EU structural funds benefit deprived communities across the EU, including in Wales. They are designed to spread prosperity from the richest parts of the continent and close the gap between the poorest and the wealthiest. The Westminster Government does not offer anything similar, and is unlikely to do so if we leave. Leaving the EU will inevitably mean that we will lose out on funding that has been a lifeline to the South East and lock in inequality. We could be left behind.

If we want to see an improved EU that is progressive, accountable, and continues to deliver improvements to our lives, then we need to fight for it. Leaving the EU will leave Wales worse off and voiceless, unable to play our part in building a better Europe and at the full mercy of the Westminster elite.