Views
Wider poll needed on our place in Europe - for The Inverness Courier
DEBATES at Westminster last week were dominated by a single issue. After two weeks of discussing its implications, MPs finally voted on the Lisbon Treaty.
For a long time, debates about Europe have been prone to generate more heat than light. This was no exception, especially with the focus on Conservative demands for a referendum on the latest detailed revisions of the EUs operations.
The Lisbon Treaty is much reduced in substance and scope compared to the failed constitution that it replaces. Given the watering down of the proposals to today's 'mouse' of a document, I believe that the only way to stay faithful to the commitment to a referendum on the constitution is to have a much wider poll on Britain's place in Europe.
The Lisbon Treaty makes minor changes to the internal workings of the EU — it is trivial compared to earlier treaties. It is frankly, hypocritical for Conservatives to call for a vote today when in government they denied one on the Maastricht Treaty and the Single European Act that created the EU as we have it today.
An in/out referendum would at least allow people to debate the fundamental issues that cause real concern to some. It would be a chance to lance the boil of euro-scepticism that has held Britain back in Europe for so long. That's why I voted last week for parliament to be allowed to debate the in/out option, and why I abstained on the much narrower idea of holding a vote on the specific details of this Treaty. Despite polls showing that by two to one people would prefer the broader debate that Liberal Democrats want, Conservative and Labour MPs voted to prevent Parliament even debating it.
If and when we get it, I look forward to campaigning for Britain to be at the heart of Europe. A real referendum would allow us to air all the facts, and decide whether European co-operation has — as I would argue — added to our ability to tackle vital international issues. I believe passionately that we are better off in Europe.
FACELESS BRITAIN
Parliamentary shenanigans on Europe quite rightly pass most people by when compared to the daily problems created by government bureaucracy. So it was good last week to join Nick Clegg in launching a campaign to tackle the government's obsession for the centralising of services, especially in the tax and benefits system.
Dealing with call centres needs exceptional patience. How absurd then that some of the poorest and most vulnerable people can be left waiting on expensive phone lines while trying to access financial help. Not only are people wasting huge amounts of money, the 'remote control' culture fostered by Gordon Brown lies at the heart of the system's failure to support people in real need.
In our own communities, the problems could not be clearer. I am sure local people will respond to the challenge to restock the food bank run by Blythswood Care.
It is shameful that in the 21st century our benefits system is not able to respond quickly to genuine need.
Posted on: 11/03/2008
