Good morning I am David Goodall from the Liberal Democrats, and I have been invited today to talk to you on the subject of Europe Friend or Foe. This is an interesting title it is about defining our relationship with the rest of Europe.
I believe the best analogy to use when defining this relationship is one of family. Over the centuries we have fought with, and been friends with, many of the countries in Europe. And speaking as someone with a German wife and therefore a German mother-in-law, I find it particularly easy to see our European relationships in family terms.
The best families are good supportive ones. And this type family benefits all its members. The question is can the same be said of the European Union. In the Liberal Democrats we strongly believe it can.
The EUs fundamental role is guaranteeing peace and freedom in Europe, it does this by
And doing this for Britain brings enormous benefits to us OR simply put the European Union is :-
Good for people, now Liberal Democrats always say Europe is great, so what does the EU do for its people :-
We are a party that frequently tells it like it is, whether this is on tax, health, or education and the European Union is no exceptions to this.
So although we are pro-European, we are also clear about its limits and failings. Improvements are required, but we believe that the EU must have the powers and resources to act on European wide scale.
It is a fundamental part of our philosophy that power is exercised at the lowest practicable level, therefore Liberal Democrats will continue to press for a Europe that is diverse, democratic and decentralised.
As Liberal democrats we would reform of the EU and our main priorities would be:
However we would, of course, maintain the veto in areas of vital interest to the UK, like
But all other areas should be opened up to qualified majority should be used to ensure the effective running of the EU.
This will both :-
And as Liberal Democrats we will keep on making it better for you.
Now why is the EU good for its businesses, Well for centuries Britain has been a good trading nation and Europe is a 455 million strong block for whom the EU’s main aim is to ensure that the game of business is :-
I believe that under these conditions British business will thrive. I also believe that given our chance in Britain we have the most adaptable, flexible and productive workforce.
It is at the heart of our policies for businesses is that trade should be genuinely liberal and free. And as party we are pressing :-
Above all Liberal Democrats favour British membership of the euro, of course,
Entry into the Euro can make the UK substantially more prosperous by:
And the cost of staying out is not zero the year before the introduction of the euro:-
Or to put in another way we are losing out on investment worth £81 billion per year.
And I am positive your businesses would benefit from even a small slice of this.
EU membership has boosted our trade, it has widened our horizons, and has been good business and it will continue to be good for business.
On the environment even the most hardened critic of the European Union knows that pollution does not stop at the border and that co-operation on a European level is required, already :-
This is why the European Union is good for the environment.
Liberal Democrats would build on this good track record:
Liberal Democrats want to Europe to do even better for the environment.
So what is the big European idea.
Is it to create a European version of the US ?
NO. The US is just a big country, like China, like Russia or like India
The idea of Europe is to build a new way of interaction between sovereign states,
and to build institutions that allow us :
In Europe we are the example others will follow :-
whether in NAFTA, South America, South East Asia, Arab world or even Africa.
Every nation needs to live with and work together with its neighbours.
And in Europe we truly do lead and the others follow.
Thank you for listening. Now are there any questions.