Our relationship with Europe has been one of the most divisive issues in British politics. Gaining entry to what was then the EEC (European Economic Community) was a struggle in getting some of our partners to agree to have the United Kingdom on board. Our continued membership of the EEC was tested by a referendum in 1975, with just over 67% of voters in support. I remember this event, as a non-voter, but do not recall being told that this decision would take us into what has become the EU (European Union) with ever closer ties and a progressive loss of sovereignty.
I believe that many of the founding thinkers behind the EU always had “ever closer union” in mind as well as the creation of a prosperous free market. What surprises me is how reticent these people, at home and abroad, seem to have been in advancing these arguments more openly. I say this is for two reasons. Firstly, we like our politicians to be open rather than surprise us and perhaps cause us to turn against their project, which is what has happened to some extent with Europe.
Secondly, we have important arguments around the preservation of peace that are supported by closer European cooperation, but not excessive loss of our own self-determination. While NATO has kept the peace, we should not underestimate the subtle contribution made by the European project. Its intimate relationships and trading arrangements, and even its vast bureaucracy, have made war between nation states less likely. We have had a substantial period of time without a major conflagration, compared with the 21-year speck of time between the First and Second World Wars.
I care about Britain’s ability to determine its own destiny, about our economy, about peace and so many other subjects. At this point, I am genuinely undecided about how to vote in the EU in-out referendum that the Conservative Government will deliver before the end of 2017. I will watch the results of attempts to renegotiate the terms of our EU membership and appreciate being given the opportunity to have a say.
Councillor Bob Lanzer
Pound Hill South and Worth
10th February 2016