A great Commons debate this evening on the European Union. Organised by an Opposition Party - the Democratic Unionists (DUP), the Motion supported David Cameron's veto of the proposed EU Treaty. The DUP also called for a rebalancing of our relationship with the EU - in effect a repatriation of powers.
The debate was summed up by Sammy Wilson MP, who made an incredibly impassioned speech criticising Labour's federalism and urging our powers to be brought back from the EU. It was one of the best Eurosceptic speeches I have ever heard, and I will post a link on my blog as soon as it becomes available.
I was proud to support the Motion, especially since Labour proposed a wrecking amendment. On this issue, Labour really are against the grain of the British people. The Liberal Democrats abstained.
You can see the Motion here (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmagenda/ob111213.htm) and below:
UK'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION
Mr Nigel Dodds
Dr William McCrea
Mr Gregory Campbell
Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson
Sammy Wilson
David Simpson
Ian Paisley
Jim Shannon
† indicates Government Business
That this House commends the Prime Minister on his refusal at the European Council to sign up to a Treaty without safeguards for the UK; regards the use of the veto in appropriate circumstances to be a vital means of defending the national interests of the UK; and recognises the desire of the British people for a rebalancing of the relationship with our European neighbours based on co-operation and mutually beneficial economic arrangements.
Labour Amendment:
As an Amendment to Mr Nigel Dodds' proposed Motion (UK's relationship with the European Union):
Edward Miliband
Mr Douglas Alexander
Ms Harriet Harman
Ed Balls
Emma Reynolds
Ms Rosie Winterton
(a)
Line 1, leave out from 'House' to end and add 'notes that faced with a choice between the national interest and his party interest at the European Council, the Prime Minister chose the party interest; further notes that the Prime Minister secured no additional safeguards for the European single market and UK businesses by his conduct; and recognises that while isolation can sometimes be a price worth paying for getting your own way, isolation achieving only defeat is unforgiveable.'.
The debate was summed up by Sammy Wilson MP, who made an incredibly impassioned speech criticising Labour's federalism and urging our powers to be brought back from the EU. It was one of the best Eurosceptic speeches I have ever heard, and I will post a link on my blog as soon as it becomes available.
I was proud to support the Motion, especially since Labour proposed a wrecking amendment. On this issue, Labour really are against the grain of the British people. The Liberal Democrats abstained.
You can see the Motion here (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmagenda/ob111213.htm) and below:
UK'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION
Mr Nigel Dodds
Dr William McCrea
Mr Gregory Campbell
Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson
Sammy Wilson
David Simpson
Ian Paisley
Jim Shannon
† indicates Government Business
That this House commends the Prime Minister on his refusal at the European Council to sign up to a Treaty without safeguards for the UK; regards the use of the veto in appropriate circumstances to be a vital means of defending the national interests of the UK; and recognises the desire of the British people for a rebalancing of the relationship with our European neighbours based on co-operation and mutually beneficial economic arrangements.
Labour Amendment:
As an Amendment to Mr Nigel Dodds' proposed Motion (UK's relationship with the European Union):
Edward Miliband
Mr Douglas Alexander
Ms Harriet Harman
Ed Balls
Emma Reynolds
Ms Rosie Winterton
(a)
Line 1, leave out from 'House' to end and add 'notes that faced with a choice between the national interest and his party interest at the European Council, the Prime Minister chose the party interest; further notes that the Prime Minister secured no additional safeguards for the European single market and UK businesses by his conduct; and recognises that while isolation can sometimes be a price worth paying for getting your own way, isolation achieving only defeat is unforgiveable.'.
