3rd November 2009: "Cameron needs to come clean on Europe"

Letter sent to local newspapers from Linda and the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband:

Dear Editor,

David Cameron needs to come clean on Europe.  For months he and William Hague have said that they ‘will not let matters rest’ once the Lisbon Treaty has been ratified, and now they need to tell us what they mean.  The Conservative party is deeply split, but Hague and Cameron are silent. 

We hear that he wants to repatriate powers.  This, however, requires the consent of all other Member States; so what will Mr Cameron offer them in return?  And what powers does he want repatriated?  The Social Chapter, apparently.  Simply, the Social Chapter no longer exists and is scattered across a number of Treaty clauses, and seeking to renegotiate it could lead to Britain being forced out of the EU.

The Social Chapter delivers paid leave, equality laws and maternity leave for British workers.  Does David Cameron really want to scrap these rights so badly that he will risk Britain’s membership of the EU?

By refusing to give straights answers, Cameron is not being straight with the British people.  And by pretending Britain can wield international influence without the EU, David Cameron is pursuing a policy of deception.  To placate the Right of his Party Cameron has deserted the European mainstream, but Britain needs Europe to have a strong voice on the international stage. David Cameron is putting his friends before national interest.

Labour knows that the EU magnifies British influence in the world.  Britain can extend our values, defend our interests and advance our ideas by being strong in Europe and taking the lead on the global issues, from security, economics to the future of our planet.  David Cameron’s deceit that you can have influence without Europe and his refusal to come clean over Lisbon cast serious doubt over his judgement, leadership, claims to have changed the Tory Party and are very dangerous for Britain’s future.

Yours faithfully,

Linda McAvan MEP, Labour, Yorkshire & Humber
Rt Hon David Miliband MP, Secretary of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office