Statement from Maggie Throup MP – The EU Referendum

On Friday 19th February 2016, the Prime Minister announced he had secured a new deal for the United Kingdom [UK] within the European Union [EU] and would now deliver on his manifesto commitment of giving the people of the UK an in/out referendum on the issue.

On Thursday June 23rd 2016 the British people will be given the opportunity to vote whether to remain in or leave the EU. It is 41 years since we had the opportunity to have our say on our relationship with the EU and I would like to emphasise that the issue of whether the UK stays in a reformed EU or leaves and goes it alone will be decided by every UK resident and not by Members of Parliament.

Everyone who is eligible to vote, and is registered, will have an equal say on the future relationship of the UK with the EU. The issue is not a party political one and should not be seen in that way in any respect.

Some Background

In 2013, the Prime Minister gave a speech at Bloomberg outlining his vision for the future relationship of the UK with the EU. This was followed by the launch of the Conservative Party Manifesto on which platform I stood and was elected on. The manifesto was a follow-on from the Bloomberg speech and committed to real change in our relationship with the EU.

Briefly, our commitments were as follows:

  • Give everyone a say over whether we should stay in or leave the EU, with an in-out referendum by the end of 2017
  • Commit to keeping the pound and staying out of the Eurozone, therefore protecting our economy from further integration
  • Reform the workings of the EU, reclaiming powers from Brussels and safeguarding British interests in the Single Market, ensuring the UK parliament holds sovereignty, ending any commitment to ‘ever closer union’
  • Ensure that defence policy remains firmly under British national control, maintaining NATO and the transatlantic relationship as the cornerstone of our defence and security policy
  • Back businesses to create jobs in Britain by completing ambitious trade deals and reducing red tape
  • Safeguard our welfare system by limiting benefits available to EU migrant

 

The Situation Now

Despite much pessimism, the Prime Minster has negotiated a new relationship with the EU based on what he laid out in 2013 and in the 2015 election manifesto which every voter can now have their say on.

I have cross-referenced what the Prime Minister promised, and the plans I backed at the election, with the agreement of last Friday, 19th February 2016 and find that the Prime Minister has delivered the majority of what he promised.

In brief, the agreement secures for the UK:

  • Permanent protection for our pound
  • Permanent exemption from ‘ever closer union’
  • Safeguards against discrimination by the Eurozone
  • Restrictions on child benefit being sent to foreign countries
  • An emergency brake on EU migrants having access to welfare
  • The ability to prevent criminals coming here and deport those already here
  • Protections from unwanted legislation

 

My Position

At heart, I am a Eurosceptic, but I am also a realist.

On balance, in my opinion, the risks of coming out of the EU are greater than the risks associated with staying in a reformed Europe. Yes, the reformed Europe will still not be perfect, but the UK will continue to influence further changes. Exiting from the EU will result in the UK having no say, no influence, but more than likely having to live with the consequences of agreements made without us.

Despite our economic recovery continuing, with unemployment in Erewash now down by 62 per cent since 2010, times are still tough. The uncertainty of an exit from the EU I fear would cost jobs and further economic recovery.

To date, I have not been persuaded that leaving the EU will be better for our economy and our security. I cannot see why other members of the EU would ‘bend over backwards’ to strike beneficial trade agreements without restrictive conditions should we vote to leave. As yet, I have not seen or heard the vision for a strong, vibrant and secure economy post-referendum should the outcome be to leave.

In conclusion, I feel it is better to be in a reformed EU with the special status that has now been negotiated and be able to continue to negotiate further reform and exert influence from within. I feel that the reforms that have now been established should be seen as just the start of a new relationship within the EU.