The Harrow Times asked Harrow and Brent General London Assembly candidates Navin Shah and Joel Davidson if they think Britain should stay in the EU or not

Labour's Navin Shah said: "I want to remain in the EU because of its enormous economic, safety and security benefits to London.

"The links between financial markets in the UK and EU are extensive and fundamental to the prosperity of the whole region.

"London is Europe’s financial centre with the EU delivering permanent boost to London’s economy worth £13.9 billion and some 75,000 jobs to London economy by 2030.

"This could be at risk if the UK leaves the EU. Fears of major economic weakness and political crisis expressed by major institutions are real.

"London exported £12.3 billion of goods to EU in 2014 (nearly 43 per cent of all capital’s exports of goods).

"RSA have warned that Brexit would threaten UK’s small and medium sized exporters.

"Britain’s membership means working in partnership with other EU nations sharing intelligence that assists with identifying and preventing terrorist threats.

"Head of MI5 last year stated that its international partners had thwarted six terrorist threats in the UK and several overseas plots.

"Without European collaboration Britain would leave itself more vulnerable at a time when we’re facing significant threat of safety in London and across the UK.

"It makes sense to remain in the EU for a peaceful and prosperous union."

Conservative Joel Davidson says he is undecided as to whether Britain should remain in the EU or not.

Harrow Times:

He said: "Before the whole country goes to the polls to decide on Britain’s future relationship with the European Union, the voters of Brent and Harrow will decide on May 5 who they want to represent them on the London Assembly.

"As a born and bred North West Londoner and councillor in Brent, I have worked with a wide range of communities – whether Muslim or Hindu, Jewish or Sikh, Polish or Romanian. Many have arrived since their birth countries joined the EU – while many communities’ roots in Harrow and Brent pre-date our EEC membership. But all communities have contributed greatly to the success of our area, and the referendum will not affect this at all.

"Regardless of what the British people decide – and I have the same vote as 48 million other voters – residents still need a London Assembly member to champion the area; to deliver step-free access at Harrow-on-the-Hill and Stanmore stations, to encourage sustainable development that means more housing while protecting our green belt, and to ensure we are tougher on knife crime to make our streets safer.

"With the current incumbent Navin Shah, we have seen no progress on any of these issues over the last 8 years; we cannot have another four years of inaction.

"Regardless of the referendum result, Brent and Harrow will need a champion on the London Assembly: someone who is able to fight our corner better than the current Assembly Member, in order to make sure that Brent and Harrow continues to share in the increasing prosperity of our great city."