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NEIL CORLETT
Britain is missing out by its half-hearted attitude to Europe -neither in nor out and an antagonistic or indifferent public fuelled by cynics and sceptics who have little appreciation for the changed times in which we live. Pro-Europeans must speak up and defend what is, in essence, history's boldest and most durable experiment in conflict resolution, especially at a time when the main threats facing our societies are global in nature – climate change, dwindling energy resources, mass migration, global recession and international crime. Now is the time to work with our partners in Europe, not isolate ourselves from them.
Sure, things need to change in Brussels: Institutions can be more efficient, law-making simplified and policies better explained and justified. But that all requires firm commitment to the European Union, not abandoning it. The only organization we have no influence over is the one we are not a member of.
My priorities therefore are:
- Raise awareness and understanding of how the EU operates and how we benefit.
- Put the EU at the heart of the North West.
- Fight to reform the European institutions to become more open, efficient and democratically accountable.
- Ensure that decisions are taken with full respect for national and regional competences so that the EU concentrates on those areas where it can offer real added value such as energy cooperation, combatting climate change, addressing immigration, adjusting to globalisation and fighting poverty and injustice worldwide.
Links
- Liberal Democrats Homepage
- European Commission
- European Parliament elections 2009
- European Liberal Democrat Party
- European Liberals and Democrats Parliamentary Group
Published by and promoting the Liberal Democrats, 4 Cowley Street, London SW1P 3NB.
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