Patrick Stewart pens essay in support of Britain staying in the EU

'The fact that so many fellow British citizens want to leave Europe is shocking', Sir Patrick says

Sir Patrick Stewart (Getty)

Sir Patrick Stewart has made a rallying cry for Britain to stay in the European Union saying he find the number of people supporting a Brexit “shocking”.

The veteran actor said he does not understand the “thirst for isolationism” from those who support a Brexit after he experienced the “unity” of countries after the end of the Second World War.

Writing for the Guardian under the title “I saw postwar Europe unite. We can’t let it unravel”, Sir Patrick draws on his experiences of the post-war years. “For the first time I became aware of my country as a place hoping to share its future with others all around the world. Yes, millions had died but the hope was that never again could a war like that be repeated. The world had suffered, not just Europe and it seems a lesson had finally been learned. The cold war was still ahead but the United Nations had me into being and global responsibility and collaboration was also the future.”

The 75-year-old said he believes these ideals were cemented further with the start of the European Union.

“It was for me a triumph of all those convictions that the future must be one of worldwide cooperation and unity, and here were were paving the way with the beginnings of collaboration across Europe and learning the lessons of our own history”.

Sir Patrick called the upcoming referendum on the 23rd June the “biggest political decision of our generation” and predicted the remain vote will prevail but said: “Nevertheless the fact that so many fellow British citizens want to leave Europe is shocking. Standing alone was how we were in 1940.

“Why campaign to put us back there? I do not understand this thirst for isolationism […] Let this just be a passing insecurity and let us once more embrace reality, philosophy, common sense and hope for our country,” he wrote.

Other high-profile individuals who have backed the remain campaign include Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley who both signed a letter urging Britain to stay in the EU.

High-profile individuals on the opposing leave camp include actors Sir Michael Caine and Dame Joan Collins who told the Daily Mail recently “This is a tiny island. There are too many people coming in and we’re going to sink into the sea with so many people.”