Brussels, 30/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - The UK government and the Conservative prime minister, David Cameron, himself should highlight the positive aspects of the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union and try to build a positive and inclusive vision in favour of the country's continued membership of the EU, says the House of Lords European Union committee in a report published on 30 March.
In the report, the committee does not take a stance on whether or not the United Kingdom should remain within the EU but, as the government has recommended staying in, examines “the vision of the UK's place in a reformed EU that the Government has put before the people”. It says that the emphasis should be laid on the positive view rather than on “fear of the alternatives”. It also says that the UK government should seek allies from across the political spectrum and set out a positive strategic vision for belonging to the EU.
Lord Boswell, the chair of the committee, said that there is a real opportunity now, following the agreement reached in Brussels, for the United Kingdom to show leadership in helping to make the EU less rigid, more dynamic and more competitive (see EUROPE 11495). “Following last week's attacks in Brussels, the United Kingdom can play a key role in helping the EU tackle the threat of terrorism and in strengthening its internal security”, he added.
For this, Boswell said that the government must, first, seek to persuade the people: it must, he said, aim higher and wider than the terms of the agreement, stressing the values shared by people across the EU, “perhaps best and most clearly seen by the football fans at Wembley who, after the Paris shootings, all sang together the Marseillaise”, he suggested
The referendum called by the Conservatives on UK membership of the EU will be held on 23 June. According to a poll carried out by Ipsos Mori between 19 and 22 March, support for continued membership has slipped back five points from 54% in February to 49%. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)
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