On 22 June 2016, a letter from Thomas, describing himself as a "former 'old' Labour MP", was published in the "Bristol Post". Striking a Eurosceptic tone, he noted the link between the vice-chancellor of the University of the West of England advocating a vote for 'Remain' in the forthcoming European Union referendum, and a subsequent report on the university receiving £60 million from the EU. The day before the referendum, Thomas appeared to be endorsing a vote for 'Leave', when he wrote:Was this not an example of the recycling back to the UK of part of the massive annual fee paid to be a member of the EU Club? And is it not the case that unelected bureaucrats decide who the recipients shall be? Some of us believe that taxation and payments and grants etc., out of that taxation should be determined by our elected representatives in the House of Commons. It is an essential part of the sovereignty of people and parliament which hopefully will be restored after the Referendum vote.