Big flaws in plan for EU referendum
We agree with the principle of a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union. There is widespread antipathy towards the EU and the perception that too much power has been devolved to Brussels. This debate has boiled on corrosively for far too long and it needs to be resolved.
In saying this, we should point out that, in our opinion, this country is far better off in Europe than going it alone. The main reason for that assessment is that membership of the EU is essential in ensuring access to the European markets which are vital to our exporters.
However, the thing to do is win that argument in a referendum and put the matter to rest rather than plodding along with the current level of discontent.
We therefore agree with Prime Minister David Cameron when he said yesterday: "It is time for the British people to have their say."
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The problem is Mr Cameron has decided that time is not actually now but in 2017 and only after an extremely problematic attempt to renegotiate Britain's relationship with the EU to give the country more favourable terms.
Not surprisingly, France and Germany have reacted badly to that idea and have pointed out that the UK cannot "cherry pick" over EU membership.
And Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has warned that the timescale will mean years of uncertainty which will affect jobs and growth and that this is "not in the national interest".
Mr Cameron has decided not to hold a referendum now because he believes it would be a "false choice" as Europe is set to change following the eurozone crisis.
He said it would be "wrong to ask people whether to stay or go before we have had a chance to put the relationship right".
We see the point. However, the reality is that our EU partners are extremely unlikely to ever agree that Britain should have a different set of rules about membership than everybody else.
It would have been better, in our opinion, to grasp the nettle at once and push for a referendum before the next election.
This would have avoided what is likely to be a fruitless tussle with our European neighbours over the terms of EU membership as well as preventing a prolonged period of uncertainty.
6 Comments
by Red_Ned
Friday, February 01 2013, 1:33PM
“Nick, this is an Opinion Piece. As you can see you are free to disagree with this opinion.”
by cjt72
Thursday, January 24 2013, 8:10PM
“If the UK electorate decides to leave the EU, then the EU is obliged to negotiate a free trade agreement with the UK. Since we don't share a currency with any other EU country, we should be able to walk away, without significant impact to out international trade.
It's been forty years since we joined, so it is time to assess our relationship, and ask the public what they want.
Labour seems to think that Cameron is appeasing his party, but I think he is offering something that Labour promised and failed to deliver (twice).”
by democrat
Thursday, January 24 2013, 1:47PM
“The fact remains that the EU will not exist in its current form in 2017 so the PM is being simply being pragmatic and realistic.
The disaster that is the Euro can only be solved by the closer integration of those States that are members - only this week figures were published that show that the financial gap between the northern and southern states is widening at an alarming rate. This gap can only be closed by the transfer of huge sums from countries like Germany to Greece, Italy & Spain. As a consequence further integration will result in taxes (and spending) being set centrally with further loss of democratic accountability.
We will find that the enthusiasm for the 'European Project' of the Germans will fade as they see there hard earned savings being eroded to pay to support the profligate Greeks et al. Meanwhile, the Greeks and Spaniards will find that the key decisions on their future will be made by the faceless and unelected leeches of Brussels.
The Euro crisis has not gone away and assuming that it is ever fixed there will be differnet rules. Cameron is simply starting the debate.”
by Graham_LE8
Thursday, January 24 2013, 12:53PM
“It's all smoke and mirrors, the whole point of David Cameron's announcement yesterday is a political diversion to prevent the further haemorraging of tory voters to UKIP. Despite his explanation for delay, he's not looking beyond the next election simply because he hasn't much hope of winning it at present...”
by coolness
Thursday, January 24 2013, 9:50AM
“We must vote for change, the EU needs the UK far more, we buy more goods from the EU then they do from us and the southern countries are dependent on UK tourists
Sign this petition to restrict Bulgarian and Romanians from entering the UK:
http://tinyurl.com/axaenpp
Sign this petition to allow UKIP to take part in the 2015 TV election debates:
http://tinyurl.com/aco8f3b”
by NickDiPerna1
Thursday, January 24 2013, 8:40AM
“"EU is essential in ensuring access to the European markets which are vital to our exporters."
America and many eastern economies have access to European markets and they don't have EU membership. The Leicester Mercury should present facts - not propaganda.”