Job fears at forefront as workers debate Brexit

Preston, England

ARGUMENTS on the merits of the European Union and whether workers should gamble with their jobs by voting to leave the bloc are becoming something of an obsession on factory floors across Britain.

At one plant which makes Typhoon eurofighter jets for BAE Systems in north-western England, employees have gone over the debate so many times before a June 23 referendum on Britain's EU membership that they can anticipate one another's views.

Sarcasm, strong language and down-to-earth humour dominated the conversation between seven workers and trade union members during a work break this month but, despite their differences, they found common ground on one thing - jobs.

Though hostile to Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, who wants Britain to stay in the EU, and disdainful of Brussels, many were hesitant about voting to leave the 28-nation bloc for fear that it could lead to factory closures …