An East Midlands MEP has warned that the Prime Minister should make the case for the EU reforms Britain needs, rather than threatening to pull out if his demands are not met. Speaking early today, the Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond claimed the UK would quit the EU if other European Countries did not agree to the Tories’ demands.
Glenis Willmott, Labour MEP for the East Midlands, said:
“Cameron will get nowhere fast in Europe if he continues to present a set of demands to other EU leaders and expect them to sign up immediately. If his failures on the European stage in the last five years have taught us anything, it’s that we need to build alliances with like-minded allies that want reform, not burn our bridges abroad.”
Today the House of Commons had its first look at legislation that would require an in/out referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU to be held before the end of 2017. The Prime Minister has set out on a tour of Europe to persuade other leaders to back his set of reforms that would change Britain’s relationship with the EU.
Glenis Willmott MEP added:
“Businesses are facing up to two years of uncertainty which is putting investment in Britain at risk. I hope that Cameron works constructively with other European leaders to secure meaningful reforms that will make the EU work better for Britain. I will be making the positive case for Britain to stay in because it is vital for the public to hear both sides of the argument before making such an important decision for the future of our country.”
