European Community

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 6:44 pm on 20 June 1985.

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Photo of Mr Russell Johnston Mr Russell Johnston , Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber 6:44, 20 June 1985

I do not want to argue in detail, because I could go on for a long time. I was merely talking about the unfair attitude that hon. Members have towards the European Parliament. The hon. Gentleman's remarks were unfair. It is not true to say that Members of the European Parliament are always irresponsible. They do a great deal of constructive work in the committees, for example, even if they are held in secret. Sometimes that is not all that had. That is against Liberal policy, but never mind.

A fortnight ago, the European federation of Liberals and Democrats in the Community met in Groningen in the Netherlands. A resolution on institutional reform was passed unanimously. I should like to end by quoting from it, because it was a congress of 11 Liberal parties—to some degree, a spectrum of views—clearly united about some matters and trying hard, as I think we should all be trying, to find common ways forward within the Community. The resolution stated: We want the present Community to develop into a free European Union of equally respected states and peoples within which national, regional and local powers of decision-making are placed in the context of the new European dimension and thereby given added significance. The task of the Union will be to complete the Community process of integration and unification, on the twin foundations of liberal democracy and human and civil rights. Furthermore, it must assume its role in ensuring European security and in the world at large, it must stand for the principles on which it itself is founded: peace, freedom, equal rights, individual responsibility and social justice. That is the right way forward — not the cautious, hesitant one put forward by the Government and Labour Front Benches. If ever there was a time for idealism, it is now.