Brussels, 01/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - The leader of the Liberal group (ALDE) in the European Parliament, Guy Verhofstadt, of Belgium, revealed in a press release on Tuesday 1 September that he has written to the president of the institution, Martin Schulz, to ask him to invite the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, to debate London's demands on the reform of the EU with MEPs.
The conference of the presidents of the political groups in the Parliament will discuss the request when they meet on Thursday 3 September. In his request, Verhofstadt says that resolving the issue of the British demands with regard to the treaties and the danger of a “Brexit” are still matters of importance, yet there has been no public, transparent debate.
What exactly does Cameron want, Verhofstat wondered. “This is an issue not only of concern to the UK citizens, who will have a vote in a forthcoming referendum, but an issue that concerns the establishment of a new relationship between the Union and one of its members. This is of concern to all the Union's citizens”, he stated.
Verhofstadt, noting that, in the past, Cameron has often criticised the EU's alleged democratic deficit, said that “it would therefore be very strange for him to refuse an opportunity to openly discuss his proposals”. In the view of the former Belgian prime minister, the latest British proposals on freedom of movement (see EUROPE 11378) would have dramatic implications for all European citizens, including the two million British nationals who live in other EU countries. He pointed out that all the demands made by Cameron should be acceptable to all member states and be endorsed by the Parliament. It would, therefore, be helpful for him to come and explain them in person, Verhofstadt argued.
Tuesday 1 September saw the task force set up by the European Commission, and chaired by Jonathan Faull, to consider the issue of the UK's leaving the EU officially begin work. On the same day, the British government accepted the recommendation of the Electoral Commission on the wording of the question to be put in the referendum. The Electoral Commission was of the view that the wording proposed by ministers: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union?”, requiring a straight yes or no answer could be perceived as biased towards the status quo. It proposed adding the words: “or leave the European Union?”. Voters would then have the choice between “Remain” and “Leave”. The government has said it will accept the proposed changes but the final decision remains with parliament, UK media report. (Solenn Paulic)