South Hams & Brixham Liberal Democrats: Press Release
The Executive Committee of the South Hams & Brixham Liberal Democrats have decided unanimously to campaign throughout the area, in the forthcoming referendum, in favour of the United Kingdom remaining part of the European Union. Support for our country's membership of the EU has been an unswerving long-term policy of the Liberal Democrats. At a meeting in Totnes on 14th January, it was therefore agreed that we would develop our own distinctive local campaign, in addition to any cross-party activity that may take place.
I t was further agreed that, among the many policy areas in which EU membership is important, three in particular deserve to be highlighted:
- The role of the EU as a force for good in protecting peace and democracy in Europe - so often forgotten in today's debates that focus so much on economic issues. The international agreements that led to the creation of the Common Market and subsequently the EU were underpinned by the desire to avoid any more catastrophic wars in Europe. The EU provided a democratic home for Spain, Portugal and Greece after they threw off the yoke of right-wing dictatorships. And it has provided billions of euros to help implement the Good Friday Agreement that has brought peace to Northern Ireland.
- The leading role played by the EU in seeking a binding deal on climate change. In the words of the EU Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete, "Europe has led the efforts in Paris to get an ambitious and legally binding global climate deal. We have forged alliances and others have joined. Our key objectives − on the long-term goal, the 5-yearly review cycles and transparency − are in the new agreement. .....Now, what has been promised must be delivered. Europe will continue to lead the global low-carbon transition we have agreed."
- The importance of EU financial support for our farmers, especially here in the South West. According to a new study, leaving the EU would instantly disqualify UK farmers from all EU subsidies, which currently account, on average, for 35-50% of their gross incomes. Based on analysis of UK government policy papers to date, it says that a replacement regime likely to be put in place for them by a UK government, post-Brexit, would mean their total support would drop from between £3.5bn and £4bn a year at present, to more like £1bn a year.
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For more information, contact Keith Smith, Chair, South Hams & Brixham Liberal Democrats, keithsmith1@waitrose.com; tel: 01803 865013.