This in from the office of Andrew Turner, in their own words. Ed
Andrew Turner, the Island’s MP was called yesterday to ask David Cameron a question during the weekly 30 minute session of Prime Minister’s Questions.
Backbenchers can put their names into a ballot to get a question during the session, or occasionally they can get called unexpectedly as Mr Turner did yesterday.
The Island’s MP asked the PM about the possible repatriation of powers on immigration, employment and fishing rights in return for Britain’s support for the Eurozone during the current economic crisis.
Plans to negotiate in Brussels
Mr Cameron answered by saying that the more changes the Eurozone countries wanted, the more leverage he would have to negotiate a good deal for Britain and that was what he planned to do in Brussels later on this week.
Yesterday afternoon Mr Turner said, “I am glad the Prime Minister recognises that potentially we have a strong negotiating position, and that he intends to use it.
“However I am concerned that his answer was limited to a scenario involving treaty changes involving all 27 EU nations where Britain would have a veto. Even if the 17 Eurozone countries decide to implement changes that do not involve the other members of the EU, our relationship with Europe will change completely.
All Britain’s people deserve a say
He went on to say, “France and Germany now intend centralised control of all the economies of the Euro countries – as the EU already sets rules over border controls and aspects of national defence they are effectively intent on becoming a single enormous country.
“I firmly believe that such a fundamental change within the EU should be put to the British people in a referendum. It is not just a matter of transferring powers to Brussels triggering a referendum, it is about the rules of the club changing without all the members having a say. That would be unfair, undemocratic and just plain wrong.
“I recognise that the Prime Minister is in a difficult position because of the coalition with the Liberal Democrats who are supporters of Europe – but the future of the European Union and Britain’s place within it should not be dependent on the whims of the smallest national party who happen to be in Government at the moment. All Britain’s people deserve a say and I will continue to campaign and fight for that.”
Image: Open Democracy under CC BY 2.0
