Selling Britain short

By Wayne David MP

To date, the government’s approach towards the European Union has been primarily concerned about ‘papering over the cracks’ and keeping the coalition together.

On the one hand, the government has been quietly signing-up to European directives on aspects of justice and home affairs to keep the Lib Dems happy, while at the same time it promoted the EU Bill, with its referendums on paper clips, in an attempt to keep its vocal, right-wing, Eurosceptics happy.

This strategy has proved to be an abysmal failure. The government’s concessions to the Lib Dems have only served to antagonise the Eurosceptics and the taste of ‘red meat’ they have had through the EU Bill has only served to encourage them to demand more.

Thus we have the government absenting itself from the recent Eurozone summit, on the grounds that the Eurozone has nothing to do with Britain. Although Britain is of course outside of the Eurozone, and it is extremely unlikely that Britain will ever join, our national interest demands that Britain plays an active role in developing policies which help our economy, as well as that of the Eurozone. Let’s not forget that over 40% of Britain’s trade is with the 17 countries of the Eurozone. If Britain’s economy is to grow significantly then we must export to a Eurozone in which demand is vibrant. Unfortunately, the ‘austerity only’ approach of the Eurozone governments is stifling growth and Britain is failing to put the case for an alternative growth strategy.

What’s more, David Cameron is hinting that if the Eurozone countries decide to integrate further then Britain would stand idly by and, possibly, even seek to ‘repatriate’ social measures, as part of the Treaty changes which would have to take place. Not only is it morally wrong to undermine workers’ rights in this country, it is economic lunacy to be indifferent to integrationist measures in the Eurozone. If the 17 Eurozone countries attempted to deepen the single market, with Britain being excluded, the impact on our economy would be hugely damaging.

That is why Britain must ‘re-establish’ a relationship with the Eurozone. Joining the Eurozone is out of the question but we need to be at the table arguing the case for a Europe-wide growth strategy and if the Eurozone countries wish to deepen their arrangements for ‘economic governance’, then our government should be there, once again, protecting Britain’s interests.