Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): I am grateful for the Home Secretary’s statement and I fully support opting out of the whole lot (of powers). Will she make sure that, were we to want to co-operate with our partners in certain areas in future, that will not be done by a route that prevents us from changing our minds or prevents Parliament from being sovereign?
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May): As my right hon. Friend knows, this Government have done more than any other to address the issue of the balance of our relationship with the European Union. It is right that we should have the opportunity to opt out from these measures and that we should look seriously at measures that we might wish to opt into. Obviously, that will take time and involve a considerable amount of discussion and negotiation with the European Commission and other member states.
October 16, 2012
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May) statement says it all really. The EU is never going to allow any repatriation of powers and the government knows this so of course it will take time that is whole point because it is purely a case of can kicking to keep the euro-sceptics on side for a while longer.
October 17, 2012
Mr R, we the public are not so silly to realise after all these years, the EU will never agree to repatriation of powers, and they all have to agree; can you really see that happening? They want more money not less, and contributions keep increasing with their costs uncontrolled; so allowing one of the major contributors to pay less, be inclusive less, is a none starter. They will resist this on full power. There will be no repatriation of powers, you know it, we know it, only if we pull out altogether. We can do this and have trade only. They sell us more than we sell them so trade will continue and we would be free from their shackles. This club is expensive and the money paid in could be much better spent here in the UK. The Conservatives won’t move us out of the EU, Cameron has no intention of doing so, they are deceiving us and honesty as gone through the window. Even today on PM questions he admitted he didn’t want to leave the EU, whatever the public want is of no consequence until it’s voting time again. By that time it might be to late for the Conservative party and UKIP will be people’s choice.
October 17, 2012
Europe has already responded with their threat to impose monumental fines on the UK ; I hope and trust we will not allow this to interfere with our plan of action ,or , if the fines do materialise , refuse to pay them .