In February I tried, through this column, to assure my constituents who are concerned about Britain’s membership of the European Union, as it currently stands, that the Conservative Party is committed to achieving a better and more comfortable relationship with the European Union.
It is nearly 40 years since the British people last had their say on Europe. Since that time much has changed; including the countries involved, the powers devolved and the benefits and costs of EU membership.
David Cameron has said that if he is Prime Minister there will be an in-out referendum in the next Parliament. The Conservative Manifesto in 2015 will, therefore, ask for a mandate from the British people for a Conservative Government to negotiate a fresh settlement with our European partners in the next Parliament and giving all of us a vote on whether we approve.
Earlier this week we launched a Private Members Bill in the House of Commons to legislate for an in-out referendum on our membership of the European Union before the end of 2017 with a very simple choice – stay in the EU on these new terms; or come out altogether.
This Government has already taken steps to protect Britain in Europe by:
· Ending the UK’s participation in EU bailouts
We have secured a commitment that the European Financial Stability Mechanism, which provides loans to EU Member States in financial difficulties, will come to an end in 2013.
· Vetoing a new EU fiscal treaty
We refused to agree to a new EU treaty because our reasonable safeguards for the Single Market could not be obtained.
· Keeping the EU budget under control
We have negotiated a saving of hundreds of millions of pounds in the EU Budget compared to what the last Government agreed to.
I do think that it is right for Britain to negotiate a new settlement in the EU
to ensure that Britain can use our membership to pursue our own interests and to influence the many rules of the game that are set on trade, tax and regulation.
The draft Bill will soon be debated by Members of Parliament. However, it is crucial that we secure the support of other political Parties in order to succeed. To support the campaign go to www.letbritaindecide.com and have your say.
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