The question of Britain’s membership of the European Union is one which holds particular significance for me. The first time I cast a vote was in the referendum on Britain’s continued membership of the Common Market in 1975. At that time, I voted to reaffirm our membership because I felt that it would be best for the UK’s economy and that Europe should continue to work closely together, with Britain leading the way alongside our closest international allies.
However, over the past forty-one years, it has become clear that the European Union has dramatically changed, with many countries in the EU now pushing for closer political union. This move is one that has concerned many of us and the direction of the EU for many years now has been one that the UK does not share. That is why I have been a strong supporter of the pledge by the Conservatives at the last General Election to renegotiate our position in Europe, followed by a referendum put to the British people at which they can have their say. It is time for the next generation of voters to have their say on this issue.
I am pleased that David Cameron has put months of effort into working for a new and better deal for Britain with an outcome that represents real and significant change. I am proud that the Conservatives have been the only UK party to offer a serious and credible answer to the question of Europe. Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have opposed giving the British people their say on Europe. It is important for people to remember that only as a majority Government have the Conservatives delivered the referendum that the British people deserve.
The Prime Minister deserves a great deal of credit for his hard work on getting an improved deal for Britain. It was always going to be extremely difficult to secure agreement between the twenty seven other members of the European Union. The deal that has been secured gives Britain a guarantee against being dragged into “ever closer union” in any future treaty changes. It also provides an emergency brake on migration into Britain, with a freeze on migrant benefits for the next seven years. We also have safeguards to protect UK firms from being forced to relocate into Europe and to ensure British businesses do not face discrimination for being outside the Eurozone.
I supported our membership of the European Common Market to ensure that Britain benefits from the opportunities afforded to us by the single market, and to give Britain influence on the European stage. However for us to benefit fully we need to have our say on the rules and that can be achieved only as members of the EU. I do not agree that we would be better off if we were like Norway and Switzerland, where the majority of their trade is with the EU and yet they have no influence in the laws that govern that trade. Here in Rugby and Bulkington, like so many other places in the UK, our businesses benefit from investment and trade from around the world because of the access we provide to a market of twenty seven other nations and 500 million people. In recent months, I have had the opportunity to speak to many senior members of the business community, both locally and nationally, and it is my belief that the investment and trade we have enjoyed in recent years would be threatened in the event of Britain leaving the European Union.
Forty years ago, I supported the principle that Britain should be part of Europe. Since then, a lot has changed and the decision that each one of us must now make will be difficult. I recognise that some of my colleagues and constituents will wish to remain at any cost, whilst others will back leaving regardless of what the renegotiation offered. I do not agree with either of these points of view – the decision we make must be based on the realities of the deal we have at hand and I believe that, on balance, our best interests are served by remaining a member of the European Union.