Europe must change or risk rejection by the British people
Byers warns that Europe must change or risk rejection by the British people
Speaking on Saturday 3 July at the Yalta European Seminar in Ukraine on ‘the new borders of the European Union’ the former Cabinet Minister Stephen Byers will warn that Brussels is seen by many Britons as “bureaucratic, intrusive, inefficient and out of touch”. And unless it changes and also recognises that cultural and political identity are firmly rooted in the nation state then it will risk being rejected by the British people when they vote in the referendum on the proposed constitutional treaty.
He will also say that there is now the opportunity for Britain to be not just at the heart of Europe but to give leadership to the transformed Europe of 25 nations.
In his speech Stephen Byers will say:
“across Europe the elections for the new European Parliament have shown that euro-scepticism is on the increase. So times are not easy for those of us who believe that progress and prosperity for our own countries will be best served by a Europe that works together.
We have to be honest with ourselves and recognise that the present procedures, programmes and priorities of the European Commission provide a soft target for its critics. Many people in Britain see Brussels as bureaucratic, intrusive, inefficient and out of touch. This must change. If it doesn’t then there is a serious risk that the British people will use the referendum on the constitutional treaty to reject Europe.
Those who believe that our future is within Europe start as underdogs in the campaign to win the referendum. We need to convince the voters that Europe is not a conspiracy against the British people but is a partnership that brings real benefits to workers, their families and the communities in which they live.
To be in with a chance of winning the referendum in the United Kingdom Brussels must change. It needs to be in touch with what people want and reflect their priorities. But perhaps above everything else it has to recognise and act on the basis that cultural and political identity are firmly rooted in the nation state.
At no point in our long history has Britain ever been prepared to deny our responsibilities and interests in Europe’s future – we must not let it happen now.
For the Labour Party the lesson of the last few years is clear – you cannot win an argument over Europe unless you go out and make it.
Labour must stop being defensive about Europe. This is the time to be strong and confident in order to campaign and make the positive case.
The jobs and prosperity of millions of Britons depend on the anti-Europeans being defeated.
The case for Europe is not based on a romantic notion of European unity but it is a hard-headed recognition of how we can advance our national interests in the modern world by exploiting a single market of 450 million people in order to create jobs and boost living standards – as well as providing stability and protection through our collective strength.
The new Europe of 25 member states has also seen a marked shift in the political dynamics of the European Union. Britain has the opportunity not just to be at the heart of Europe but to give leadership to the transformed Europe of 25 nations. It will be for the British people to decide whether we become leaders in Europe or consign ourselves to the side-lines.”
