John Baron MP presses Prime Minister to ‘seize the moment’ at EU

MP calls for fundamental renegotiation of our relationship based on free trade

 Today at PMQs, John Baron MP pressed the Prime Minister as to what the UK expects from the forthcoming EU summit. France and Germany have made clear their position in contrast to the UK. John has called for a fundamentally new relationship believing this is a once in a generation opportunity.

 John asked:

 “Our history of repatriating powers back from the EU is not a happy one. May I suggest we need a fundamental renegotiation of our relationship with the EU based on free trade, competitiveness and growth – which other countries enjoy – and not political union and dead-weight regulation. This summit is a defining moment. This is a once in a generation opportunity. Will the Prime Minister now seize the moment?”

 The Prime Minister claimed in response that he will defend Britain’s interest but did not answer the fundamental question.

 John said afterwards:

 “Tinkering with individual treaties gets us nowhere. The Working Time Directive proved that the winning of a concession or opt-out can get reversed via the back door. Instead, we need a new relationship based on free trade such as that enjoyed by Switzerland.”

 “This relationship would recognise that it is important to have good relations with our European neighbours, but also recognise that it is in our interest to better engage with the faster growing world outside the EU.”