John Baron MP: Time to play the ball, not the man, re EU reform

MP calls for greater clarity on EU reform agenda

The Prime Minister is today attending a summit of EU leaders in Brussels, at which it is expected Jean-Claude Juncker will be appointed as the next President of the EU Commission. David Cameron has opposed Mr Juncker’s appointment, and intends to call an unprecedented vote on the issue. Indications are that he will lose the vote.

John said,

“The Prime Minister’s attempt to stop Juncker has been laudable. Having a federalist at the very centre is not conducive to reform. The peoples of Europe have made it clear that they want an EU which is less bureaucratic, less interfering and less bossy.”

“However, having played the man, we now need to play the ball. We need greater clarity regarding our reform agenda in order to both better form alliances across the EU and convince a sceptical public at home that we are serious about reform.”

“Vague promises about ‘a better deal for Britain’ will no longer wash. One example needs to be reform of the ‘Freedom of Movement’ principle, which is now past its sell-by date given the EU has 28 members with disparate living standards and wages. Pressure on infrastructure requires action.”