Debate on the Address — [First Day]

Part of Outlawries Bill – in the House of Commons at 4:22 pm on 6 November 2007.

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Photo of Andrew MacKinlay Andrew MacKinlay Labour, Thurrock 4:22, 6 November 2007

I have some sympathy with the hon. Gentleman. I say that as someone who is unashamedly not just pro-European, but an enthusiast for the European Union, which I believe has been and is a force for good in terms of commerce, politics, the economy and conflict resolution and minimisation. I also believe that we have to take Parliament and people together. Successive Governments have failed to do that in relation to the EU and its development from the Community and the common market.

There is a case for a referendum on the reaffirmation of our membership of the EU. In my view, the time and the vehicle for that is not now and in respect of the treaty—an amending treaty, as were the others—but between now and say 2012. I am sure that my advice will not be taken unless the arithmetic of this place makes it inevitable. It would focus the minds of men and women, rather like a hanging. It would be make your mind up time. I say this not in a facetious, spiteful or taunting way, but the leader of the Conservative party in particular, as well as his Foreign Affairs spokesman, would then have to say that they supported the UK's membership of the EU for the reasons that I have given: that it is, overall, a net force for good in the world and our membership is in the UK's best interests.

Annotations

Mark Anderson
Posted on 16 Nov 2007 12:10 am (Report this annotation)

Andrew MacKinlay (Thurrock, [new] Labour)
"...I [am]...unashamedly not just
pro-European, but an enthusiast
for the European Union, which
I believe has been and is a
force for good in terms of
commerce, politics, the economy
and conflict resolution and minimisation"

Oh come off it! The EU is as bent
as a nine bob note! Their audits
(if in fact you can label
them audits) are always out!
Millions upon millions of English
pounds sterling has
been given to the EU
and for what? For the EU
to ruin our farming industry,
for the EU to force immigrants
upon England and for the EU
bureaucrats to line
their own pockets.
"Conflict resolution"? Ha! ha!
There are more uppity ethnic groups
within the EU now than there were
before the EU.

So, you're pro eurolander!
No wonder you dont care about
Thurrock, England then!