Conservatives on Europe

Yesterday David Cameron announced a revised stance on Europe. He announced that there would be no referendum on the Lisbon Treaty for reasons he had previously explained. Given the treaty has now been ratified by all and will be implemented, there is little point closing the door after the horse has bolted.


Let us be very clear about the Lisbon Treaty. This is a betrayal of monumental proportions by Gordon Brown who promised a referendum and then reneged on that promise, treating the British people with complete contempt, demonstrating his lack of spine and character.

The Liberals are worse because they too abrogated their promise, and when they had the opportunity to force the government to hold that referendum, they nailed their colours firmly to the fence and sat on their hands. If the LibDems had voted according to their promise, there would have been a referendum. Shame on them!

True to his word however, David Cameron is not letting matters rest there. He has promised specific legislation to ensure no further transfer of powers to Europe without a referendum and another that explicitly puts Parliament superior to any diktat from Brussels.

I support these actions and will campaign strongly to ensure that these proposals are implemented strongly and effectively. To do that, however requires that I am elected as the Conservative MP for Edinburgh West. I say therefore, go out and tell your friends and acquaintances that we have a candidate who believes passionately in the Union, in the sovereignty of parliament and who will defend the right of the people against an ever increasing interference from the European Union