letter to the editor from Richard Corbett MEP

20th June 2008

Financial Times

Dear Editor,

One of the depressing things about the European debate in Britain is the glib assertions thrown around even by pro-Europeans, without checking the facts. The EU has not lost three referendums in a row (Simon Hix, letter 18th June). Apart from the fact that it is national governments who lost the referendums, there were also referendums with a positive outcome in Spain, Luxembourg and Romania. In total, far more people voted Yes than No in these referendums, even if you discount Romania.

What we have is a problem of divergent views, rather than overwhelming hostility. That divergence, in a situation where you need the grand slam of 27 victories and zero defeats to approve ANY treaty change, makes EU reform very difficult. But in a situation where all but one country seems likely to approve a reform, it is not unreasonable to ask the one that has refused the package as it stands to consider the possibility of seeking an adjustment or a compromise, rather than sink the whole reform.

Yours,

Richard Corbett

Labour MEP for Yorkshire & Humber
Blenheim Terrace, Leeds