We cannot afford indecision for the next four years on Britain's position in the EU

Rebecca said "When you consider that we have had the slowest growth since the Second World War, that we are not out of the woods in terms of a triple dip recession and that the government are borrowing nearly a quarter of a trillion more than they budgeted for, we need stability.  We cannot afford indecision for the next four years on Britain's position in the EU.

"To be credible in fighting for more jobs, investment and growth, we must show business at home and abroad that we do not voluntarily ostracise ourselves from the largest single market in the world.  Our best chance of reforming Europe is from within, not sniping at the side lines and threatening to take our ball home.

"To sum up my concerns I would quote what Lord Hesaltine said this year “To commit to a referendum about a negotiation that hasn’t begun, on a timescale you cannot predict, on an outcome that’s unknown, where Britain’s appeal as an inward investment market would be the centre of the debate, seems to me like an unnecessary gamble.”

 

When I speak to people on their doorstep each week, EU membership is rarely their top concern.  More often they want to speak to me about how we can ensure economic recovery so that the money in their pocket will go further and that their children or grandchildren will have better prospects than currently. 

When you consider that we have had the slowest growth since the Second World War, that we are not out of the woods in terms of a triple dip recession and that the government are borrowing nearly a quarter of a trillion more than they budgeted for, we need stability.  It's clear to me that the biggest challenge for our country is to kick start the economy not pulling out of Europe.  We cannot afford indecision for the next four years on Britain's position in the EU.  I do not support the backbench Bill because the instability puts jobs and growth at risk, at the worst time possible, that's not to say that I oppose a referendum in the future when we have worked at reforming the EU and we know what is on offer.

Interestingly, we have just had the County Council elections, where people had the chance to show their opposition to EU membership by voting UKIP.  Out of the seven UKIP candidates that stood in Redditch, two were elected.  Out of the eight Conservative candidates, only one was elected.  Yet Labour went from no seats to five.  The fact that the majority of people rejected the messages from Conservative and UKIP was encouraging.

I support our membership of the EU, however, that relationship must be improved.  There are legitimate concerns about our membership, such as the financial cost to us as a nation, which must reduce and immigration which needs to be better dealt with.  Labour's agenda is making the EU work better for Britain, delivering on jobs and growth.  I would like to see:

·         Further reform of the EU Budget.

·         An EU Commissioner for Growth appointed immediately to help tackle the jobs crisis in

Europe.

·         Reform of the transitional arrangements setting the terms for immigration from new 

member states.

·         Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy

·         Reform of payment of family related benefits to EU migrants

·         A call on the EU to collect data on EU migration flows

·         The second seat of the European Parliament in Strasburg abolished 

·         More powers for national parliaments to block EU legislation during formulation

 

Most people accept that we live in a more globalised world.  We know so many things cross borders, whether it be business, crime and most poignantly banking - financial markets.  It's in our nations interest to have cross border solutions in conjunction with our own. 

To be credible in fighting for more jobs, investment and growth, we must show business at home and abroad that we do not voluntarily ostracise ourselves from the largest single market in the world.  Our best chance of reforming Europe is from within, not sniping at the side lines and threatening to take our ball home.

In a time where the latest figures for Worcestershire show no noticeable change for economic growth or the numbers claiming out of work benefits or young people who are not in education, employment or training, more must be done to make the EU work for Britain, turning our back on the Union is not the answer.

The UK has 1% of the world's population, we contribute 3% of global GDP (Gross Domestic Product).  It is not in our economic interest to marginalise ourselves from Europe, where 50% of our exports go.  At the same time that we see the rise  of the economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China, do we really think isolationism is what is best for our future prospects?  

To increase the job opportunities of our 18-24 year olds, for an economic recovery for all,  we need strong leadership in Europe to encourage investment into our country.  None of us need a Prime Minster who is putting the needs of his party before the needs of our country.