Monmouth MP David Davies has pledged his full support for James Wharton’s MP Private Member’s EU Referendum Bill in a debate that is being held in Parliament on Friday. If the Bill is passed it would give the British people a vote on whether to remain part of the EU for the first time since 1975.
Mr Davies said: “At present the body is undemocratic. Laws do not originate with the MEPs (Members of European Parliament), but with the unelected Commissioners. The MEPs have a small role on a very long and complicated process which even politicians find difficult to explain and understand. It is also expensive – we pay far more into the EU then we get back in grant money.
If we were to leave there would be nothing to stop us negotiating a free trade arrangement which would allow us to buy and sell into European markets without having to implement laws from civil servants based in Brussels.
I have always believed that the British people should be given a voice on what relationship they want with the EU and this was why I was one of the first MP’s to support the People’s Pledge Campaign calling for a referendum. I am delighted to support James Wharton’s bill which would commit the Government to a referendum in 2017.
It has been over 30 years since the last referendum and the majority in this country, including my constituents in Monmouth, have not been given a say on their relationship with the EU. For such a huge decision, that is not right. The EU has changed significantly since then, becoming much more of a political rather than an economic project and I think it is time that the public are given the chance to say whether they want to remain part of it.
If the bill is successful The Government will spend the next few years trying to negotiate a better deal with the EU, then allow the people to make a choice.”
A video of why David supported the People’s Pledge can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DjLWJipIaE