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Baroness Angela Smith, Shadow Leader of the House of Lords

Debate on the Prime Ministers EU statement
4 February 2016
I am grateful to the Noble Lady, the Leader of the House for repeating the Prime Ministers
statement. I also thank the Noble Lord, the government chief whip for extending the time
for backbench contributions. I know that he understands the need for a more substantial
debate on this matter in the near future.

My Lords, let me make clear at the outset that we broadly welcome the statement.

I readily confess to some degree of relief that the Prime Minister is finally making progress
on his aim of seeking a new relationship with the European Union. Im sure Im not alone in
finding the Prime Ministers rhetoric has been perhaps the opposite of what one would
normally expect from a good negotiator.

This isnt a game. This isnt an issue on which internal party political divisions should have
any role. The only objective must be the national interest. A national interest that brings:

jobs, investment, prosperity and a continued influence in the world;

greater protections for British workers and increased opportunities for our

businesses;

and keeps us safer both at home and abroad.

What has been outlined so far appears to be a step in the right direction. It is however,
more of an agreement to agree, than a detailed and finalised deal but it is nevertheless
welcome - and we look forward to further clarification and expansion on the detail of how
the proposed renegotiation will work in practice.

We, on these benches welcome that important and hard fought for advances such as
employment rights and improved environmental protection have not been negotiated

away. They are tangible benefits for British citizens and it is right that they are protected.
And I hope that the Prime Minister will ensure that British workers are never left behind in
standards and rights at work.

I want to be clear that my party will campaign to keep the UK in the European Union, not
least because we believe it is increasingly impossible for countries to be fortresses in our
interconnected world. Many of the most serious challenges including crime, terrorism and
climate change are faced by all countries and are best met by coordinated European and
world wide action.

Many NL will recall the hugely informative debates we had on the coalition Governments
bizarre hokey-cokey of the Opt out and then Opt back In again on crime and criminal justice
measures. It was clear then, and the Government had to concede, that meeting the
challenges of serious and organised crime drug trafficking, fraud, paedophilia, people
trafficking could only really be tackled through the EU.

I remain of the view that one of the strongest cases for the European Union is the
effectiveness of our co-operation on serious crime. And those threats and challenges we
face wont go away by voting to leave. That established co-operation means we better able
to detect crime, bring criminals to justice and therefore protect our citizens.

And it illustrates to me one of the failures of politicians, and others, on this issue. There has
been a complete inability to talk about the EU in the way that people outside Parliament
know what were talking about. Even in the statement today.

My Lords, for most, an emergency brake is in a car. And the language of EU directives,
qualified majority voting and other terms that most people never normally speak of, doesnt
begin to describe why our membership is so important.

We need to talk about the European wide environmental measures that make our beaches
and coastal waters cleaner and safer, about consumer protection to stop customers being

ripped off, about rights at work, about jobs, about justice and about catching criminals.
These are the issues that touch peoples lives.

My Lords, there is a huge challenge for us as all in YLH, and other our colleagues in the other
place as well as our national media and for opinion formers. And that challenge is
illustrated by the more colourful headlines, front pages and commentary that the Prime
Minister has faced since his return.

This debate is a once in a generation opportunity for many millions of people, each with one
equal vote, to have their say about our countrys future place in the Europe and in the
world. Although sadly not for those 16 and 17 year olds whose future is dependent on the
outcome of that vote.

The debate should not only be one of persuasion. It should be one of education and
providing straightforward, honest, accurate facts and allowing people to reach their own
decisions.

Noble Lords will recall that during the passage of the EU Referendum Bill, YLH secured
concessions from the government on the importance of significant information provision in
advance of the referendum, including agreement to report back on:

the rights of individuals within the UK, including employment rights;

the rights of EU citizens living in the UK;

social and environmental legislation, law enforcement, security and justice and the

effect of withdrawal on Gibraltar;

and the right to apply for financial support from EU structural funds, and support for

agriculture and research.

Although sadly not my Lords, our call for the Treasury to report on the financial impact of
the UK voting to leave. That is such an important issue and I would suggest to the NL that
she raise this with the Prime Minister and the Chancellor in the interests of a balanced
informed debate

If I have one plea of politicians and the media it is that this debate should provide more light
than heat. As Thomas Jefferson said:
The cornerstone of democracy rests on the foundation of an educated electorate.

Finally, my Lords, as my colleague, the Leader of the Opposition in the other place told MPs
yesterday: The Labour Party is committed to keeping Britain in the European Union, because
we believe it is the best framework for European trade and cooperation in the 21st century. It
is in the best interests of the British people.

No doubt, many in YLH on all sides are of the same view. I trust also that all in this
House understand that, should the UK vote to leave the EU, our country, our companies, our
universities, and our people will still have to follow its rules when doing business with its
institutions or travelling to the remaining member states. But - all without any further say in
making those rules.

Reform is a constant process, not an event. And the most effective way to reform an
institution is through patient explanation, persuasion, and the building of alliances often
across and outside the normal political boundaries. Thats something Noble Lords
understand very well.

It would be helpful to YLH is the NL the Leader could today either provide some of the detail
that is so far missing or provide the timetable in which that will be provided and YLH will be
given an opportunity to debate it?

The sooner the proposed reforms are agreed and clarified, the sooner we can we can step
up the campaign to keep Britain in Europe and end the damaging uncertainty around our
continued membership.

-Ends-