Libertas offers 'positive' euroscepticism
Libertas will run in June's European election
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Tuesday, 10, Mar 2009 12:00
By politics.co.uk staff
New political party Libertas hope to cause a political upset by performing well in this summer's European elections.
Announcing the party's plans to field candidates across Britain in June, chairman Declan Ganley warned Labour against their "huge presumption" that their voters will not turn to Libertas.
The party intends to distinguish itself from others by marrying its pro-European instincts with revulsion at the undemocratic nature of the Brussels "elites".
It originally intended to form alliances with existing parties at a European level but now appears to be opting for a more traditional route, with candidates standing as individual members.
Mr Ganley, an Irish entrepreneur who led the successful 'no' campaign against the Lisbon treaty last year, described Europe as "arguably the most successful peace process in the history of the world". He pressed: "Wouldn't it be better if we could ensure the EU was democratic, was accountable?"
Robin Matthews, the man chosen to lead Libertas in the UK, said the party remained hostile to Brussels despite this overarching commitment to the "European project".
"We believe the European Union desperately and urgently needs to change. Our view is that Libertas' pro-European approach is the only possible way to achieve this," he said.
"By building a pan European bloc of seats in the European parliament, Libertas offers the only real opportunity for people across the UK to get a better deal from Europe. National parties are powerless - the biggest UK party in the European parliament has less than 4 per cent of the seats and represents only one country out of 27."
No policy details were presented at the launch, which was dominated by Mr Ganley's lengthy explanation of his opposition to the Lisbon treaty.
"There are very few people in this country who understand when Gordon Brown ratified the Lisbon treaty in their name, what he was copper-fisting was the fact that 80 per cent of all laws in Britain now emanate from Brussels," he added.
"Very few people know that, because Gordon doesn't want you to know."
Instead a manifesto is expected to be launched at a later date. Libertas will field candidates in all of the EU's 27 member states, despite difficulties in a small number of countries at finding them.
The party has received criticism from UK Independence party (Ukip). Writing in a comment piece for politics.co.uk, leader Nigel Farage attacked Mr Ganley for only wanting to change the way the EU is run "very slightly".
Mr Farage wrote: "We're also very much aware that he's in favour of much of what makes up the European project. It's really just the Lisbon treaty he doesn't like."
To read a comment piece by UKIP leader Nigel Farage on Libertas click here.
It is not yet clear whether Libertas plans to field any candidates in non-European elections. Mr Matthews added: "A clear aim is to establish [Libertas as] a serious political party. Beyond that it's way too early to predict."
European elections in Britain take place on June 4th.