No-one should think the Lib Dems want the EU to stay the same.
No-one should be in any doubt about the ways in which we want to improve the EU.
No-one should be in any doubt about detailed information on the advantages of membership.
That is because in 2013 the FPC commissioned a working group chaired by Ben Jones to update Liberal Democrats policy on Europe. That resulted in a first-class policy paper that was passed by an overwhelming majority at the Party Conference at Glasgow in Autumn 2013. The debate is remembered for a barnstorming speech by Charles Kennedy that brought conference to its feet for a spontaneous standing ovation.
This paper is a goldmine of useful facts and, most importantly, ideas for how we change Europe- which are official party policy.
You can download the paper (as PDF) here:
* Antony Hook was #2 on the South East European list in 2014, is the English Party's representative on the Federal Executive and produces this sites EU Referendum Roundup.
Follow @LibDemVoice on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to our feed
Sign-up for our daily email digest
Back to Butterley Tunnel on the Cromford Canal
Are we programmed to die?
Fraser's weekly ward surgeries tonight! #dundeewestend
An online conspiracy?
Alex Hosking
graham
Daniel Stylianou
Craig Levene
Paul Barker
9 Comments
Thanks for that, wasn’t aware of this.
Maybe a summary might be handy? 🙂
Looking for a link to the Charles Kennedy speech.
Who is going to read a 40 page wish list with no solutions?
Here’s my solution,… A letter to Mr Juncker.
————
Dear Mr Juncker,
Please find enclosed a cheque for £19 billion post dated to April 2017. Feel free to misuse that money (as per usual), but recognise that this is the very last cheque that the UK intends to send to your EU project. I’m confident that you and your team will easily be able to make up the shortfall in the years ahead, from EU cuts, or a combination of other EU sources?
Also please desist from sending any further ‘ EU Funding ‘ beyond April 2018, as we will comfortably make good to our own citizens needs, from the substantial savings we make in the years ahead. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Best wishes for the future.
A. Sovereign United Kingdom
————
Which method do you think will raise the eyebrows of these unelected EU bullies,.. my letter,… or your 40 page wish list?
Antony Hook | Wed 23rd March 2016 – 9:53 am
“The debate is remembered for a barnstorming speech by Charles Kennedy that brought conference to its feet for a spontaneous standing ovation” and a warning from the chair of the session that no-one else would be allowed to overrun their time.
Charles’ speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4poB2T-ohVw
J Dunn, I don’t think the UK throwing its toys out of the pram would have the positive effects you imagine.
J Dunn, aside from being addressed to people elected and not bullies, your letter would get the eyeroll and mild giggle it deserves. Fortunately, the EU isn’t made up of 13 year olds, which the author of your letter appears to be.
Anthony
With respect to you , could you more often than not , if you are to presume anything , do so in presuming not all our members are yet decided and , as well as that , might need some persuading . About time someone put the onus on REFORM!!!
Hi Lorenzo,
The first sentence of this article is a statement that no-one should think LDs want the EU to stay the same and I then linked to our policy paper on reform. That’s some emphasis on reform.
I looked at this paper and there is not a word about the disgraceful carving up of the Commission Presidency between the two biggest parties (EPP and S&D). ALDE should have never accepted this and should have insisted on the whole Parliament voting on all candidates for the Presidency. Instead, we have a President, J-C Juncker, for whom no-one in the UK voted – because no UK parties are affiliated to the EPP group.