Meeting with Mark Francois, Shadow Minister for Europe
T
his was an opportunity to question Mark Francois about the many concerns that have been raised by voters in Brixham and the South Hams.
Time and again the true cost of Europe is raised. UKIP widely quotes the figure of £120bn as the potential saving if Britain were to leave Europe and claims that no jobs would be lost. Both of these statements are untrue as they ignore the fact that the true net cost of Europe is between £4bn and £6.5bn as a result of the funds that flow back into our economy from the EU, and that many firms would not invest in the UK unless it were a springboard into Europe.
I am sure that Britain needs to stay in Europe, but I wanted Mark to clarify exactly how we can reassure people who are rightly concerned that too many powers have been ceded to the EU without the consent of the British people.
In summary, Conservatives will introduce a ‘Referendum lock' by amending the European Communities Act to ensure that no further powers can be ceded without a referendum. Unlike the LibDems, we will never give up the pound to join the Euro, and we will make it impossible for any future government to do so without a referendum. Conservatives will introduce a Sovereignty Bill and, through the manifesto, seek a mandate for this from the British people to establish that our Parliament has ultimate authority.
It is in Britain's interests to remain in the EU, but to insist on a full opt out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights, not just the weak ‘clarification' accepted by Labour.
We need to stop the European Courts of Justice interfering in our criminal justice system and repatriate powers over social and employment legislation such as the damaging European Working Time Directive.
Fishing is at the heart of Brixham, and it has been badly let down by the Common Fisheries Policy. It is good news that the fisheries spokesman will be visiting Brixham and I look forward to hearing more detail of how the interests of Brixham, and other fishing ports along the South Hams Coastline, will be defended by the Conservative Party.
