THE debate about whether to stay or leave the European Union is hotting up.

Each day there are claims and counter-claims regarding the EU, whether it would be more beneficial to stay in or leave, and how the country would fare if we were to leave the union.

The union, which now encompassing 28 countries, was founded in the 1950s in a bid to create economic prosperity and safety across Europe, with the UK joining up in the 1970s.

There is a seemingly endless list of pros and cons to the European Union, which have been debated and discussed across political circles and on TV a large number of television shows.

Prime Minister David Cameron has called a referendum for June 23, after he struck a reform deal with EU chiefs. But critics have said he did not do enough for the country.

Whether we stay in the EU or not will also have a big impact on Somerset. Laws and regulations on farming could change, and there could be a big impact on the NHS and local small businesses.

You can have your say on the European Union at the bottom of this story with our online poll

As with a lot of people, representatives from across the political spectrum seem split on how to vote.

A new poll conducted by YouGov, which questioned 1,049 people from Somerset and North Somerset, labelled the county as ‘Relatively Eurosceptic’.

Justine Clayton, a member of the Liberal Democrat party and a Somerset County councillor, said: “In June I will be voting for us to stay in the EU.

“As a Lib Dem, many will say that won’t be a surprise, but jobs will be impacted and for many local businesses' their ability to trade within Europe could be hugely impacted if we leave.

“However for me we haven’t had a world war since we joined and that shouldn’t be underestimated.

“Many of us travel or know people who live in Europe; this is a two-way process and Though we might be an island it is much safer and economically better to stay in.

“Being part of EU doesn’t mean we as a nation lose our identity but actually get to have a say and be part of what happens in Europe; if we leave we lose our voice and chance to influence change.”

Andrew Govier, a former parliamentary candidate for Taunton for Labour, plans to vote to stay, saying in the union. He said: “I think it [the referendum] is a huge distraction from many, far more important issues that the country faces.

“Instead of dealing with problems in the NHS, housing crisis and public service cuts, the prime minister has created a situation that means that for the next few months the referendum will be all that is talked about.

“The referendum could have far-reaching effects on the people of Somerset. I am very concerned about the impact on the local economy if we were to vote to leave.

"I fear that we would be excluded from a huge market and this would cost us hundreds of jobs locally.

“Regarding the deal, it seems a very poor deal and isn’t focussed on many of the real problems in the EU.

"Given that he is now warning us of the dire risks we face if we were to leave, it seems a strange decision to put all of this on the line for such minor changes.”

Terry Venner, a UKIP representative on Somerset County Council and former mayor of Minehead, said: “I will be voting to leave.

"I stood three years ago for UKIP because I believe that the UK should be independent.

“I am very disillusioned with the political system in this country, and within the EU. I want Britain to have control over its own destiny.

“I like the different European countries, France, Germany, Spain, etc, but I don’t like the European Union.

“The EU now is something very different to what we voted on in 1974 and I think we should leave.

“When Mr Cameron came back from Brussels with his reform deal, it looked like Neville Chamberlain saying there would be peace in our time.

“In the past 40 years we have out-treatied ourselves, and now with the some of the breaks, I think that if you’re a member of the club you have to play by club rules, and we aren’t doing that, but the EU might tell us we have to in years to come and that’s why I think we should leave.

Two of the South West’s Members of European Parliament (MEPs) are steadfastly behind the 'remain' campaign.

Green MEP for the South West Molly Scott-Cato said: “Greens want Britain to remain a part of the EU as we believe that we need to work together on shared solutions to the collective challenges we face.

“Climate change, the pollution of our oceans, terrorism and the refugee crisis shows no respect for borders and require collaborative and cooperative solutions.

“So far the vital question of whether our future lies in Europe seems to have been debated mainly by middle-aged men in suits – a dull prelude ahead of the main feature in which we now all get a starring role and everyone gets an equal say.

“We all know that the EU is not perfect. But we need to stay in it to reform it.

“This is a chance to have a conversation about how another Europe is possible.”

Justine Girling, South West MEP from the Conservative Party, said: “The Cameron package has put the UK in a unique place; and it is a good deal for Britain.

"We have full membership of and equal access to the largest and wealthiest single market in the world, bigger than even the USA.

“Far too often this debate is about emotions and not facts.

“The ‘out’ campaign has not offered any credible alternative, and it is not simply enough to say leave for leave’s sake.

“Why step out of the world’s largest, wealthiest single market, putting industry, jobs and growth at risk for a leap into the dark?

“I support the prime minister’s reform deal and Britain will be stronger, safer and better off remaining a member of the European Union.”