Brown warns against Europe retreat
Monday, 14 January 2008 12:00 AM
Gordon Brown has warned against a withdrawal from Europe as it faces global economic turbulence.
In a speech to business leaders this morning, Mr Brown said the UK must remain fully engaged in Europe, arguing that the EU is the key to success of many UK businesses.
He said the European single market had provided access to 500 million people, a wider potential workforce and cheaper products and services.
Mr Brown told business leaders: "The countries and continents that will succeed in the new era of globalisation will be those that are open rather than closed, for free trade rather than protectionism, are flexible rather than rigid, and invest in high skills and the potential of their people."
But in a series of negative pronouncements on the expected economic downturn, he said the global financial turbulence was a wake-up call for every economy in every part of the world.
Mr Brown argued: "What is clear is that at this time of global economic uncertainty, we should not be throwing into question - as some would - the stability of our relationship with Europe and even our future membership of the European Union - risking trade, business and jobs."
A "positive, pro-European but realistic approach" will enable the EU to realise its potential in a globalised era, Mr Brown continued.
"Pro-European, because it is only through active engagement that we can meet our common goals. Realistic, because we know that Europe cannot ignore the enormous global changes that affect us all."
His pronouncements come as Labour reportedly hopes to expose the Conservatives' divisions over Europe and paint David Cameron as irresponsible for opposing the EU treaty.
The EU treaty bill receives its second reading next week as MPs prepare for nearly two months of debate as the bill is contested line by line.
The government warns it must be passed in its entirety or ministers will not be able to ratify the Lisbon treaty.
Conservative MPs are threatening to block the treaty, arguing it should be put to a public referendum.
Jim Murphy, Labour's Europe minister, said today that David Cameron's European policy is in "complete confusion".
He accused the Tory leader of failing to explain his policy, "no doubt because he recognises the Tory policy of fundamental renegotiation represents a new kind of economic instability and a real threat to British business and British prosperity".
Yesterday in an interview with the BBC Mr Cameron said he would not explain entirely how a future Conservative government would deal with the EU treaty that had been ratified by every European country "because we've got to wait and see whether [this] actually take place".
But Mr Murphy warned: "Attempting to reopen negotiations on a Treaty ratified by every member state would put the Tories into the extraordinary position of repudiating an international treaty, reopening and renegotiating Britain's terms of EU membership."
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