New campaign calls for EU withdrawal
Tory MP Philip Davies is among those calling EU withdrawal
Wednesday, 26, Apr 2006 12:00
Britain would be better off outside the European Union, a group of politicians, economists and commentators will argue today.
Conservative MP Philip Davies and Ruth Lea, director of the Centre for Policy Studies, are among those launching the 'Better Off Out' campaign in Westminster today.
The campaign aims to "make a persuasive and convincing case" for EU withdrawal, which it claims has the support of 40 per cent of the British population.
In a statement of aims, it says the UK should trade on a world stage, not just inside an "inward looking EU", adding: "The opportunities for jobs and business in the UK, and the benefits to third world producers currently starved of trade, are clear and compelling."
None of the main parties advocate full withdrawal from the EU, but the issue has long been a major source of controversy within the Tories, and the inclusion of at least one Conservative MP among the new campaign's backers is likely to reignite tensions.
Yesterday, David Cameron made clear that anyone advocating EU withdrawal would not have a place on his frontbench, but this morning, Mr Davies insisted the new Tory leader was "perfectly relaxed" about backbenchers taking this view.
"He should be commended for allowing a mature and adult debate to take [place] on a vital issue like this," he told Today.
Mr Davies acknowledged that Mr Cameron had referred to members of the UK Independence party (Ukip) – who advocate pulling out of the EU – as a bunch of "fruitcakes and loonies", but said that was "his opinion".
"What's important is the issue of the European Union and having an adult debate and that's what we intend to start off today with our 'Better Off Out' campaign," he said.
The MP for Shipley also rejected suggestions that the timing of the launch today – just eight days before the local elections on May 4th – was inappropriate, as it would only serve to highlight splits within the Conservative party.
"This is nothing to do with the local elections next week, this is a cross-party issue. There are Labour MPs concerned about our membership of the European Union as well as some Conservative MPs," he said.