EU referendum talk weakens UK's hand

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jan/22/eu-referendum-talk-weakens-uk-hand

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Talk of a referendum and putting the UK's membership of the EU in question would be a mistake at this time (Comment, 22 January). When the eurozone and the EU as a whole are making significant efforts to reform and the world economy is facing unprecedented challenges, suggestions that the UK could leave the EU are unrealistic and will only cause further instability and uncertainty for businesses, investors and households in Britain. Global investors, our international partners and our fellow EU member states want the UK to be involved at the core of the biggest common market in the world, with a seat around the table to influence decisions that determine the future wellbeing of the European economy, of which the UK is a part. Casting doubt on the UK's future membership while reforms continue will weaken our hand in influencing those reforms before anyone knows what the benefits and responsibilities of future membership might be.

The role of political parties is to engage the British people in a continuous discussion, not least during local, national and European elections, about what membership of the EU means for the UK. It is our job to address their concerns and explain the rights and responsibilities, the numerous benefits and inevitable costs that come with being part of a community of 27 sovereign nations that have come together in pursuit of their common interests. We should focus our efforts on doing exactly that.<br /><strong>Charles Kennedy MP </strong><em>President European Movement UK</em><br /><strong>Sharon Bowles MEP</strong><br /><strong>Lord Ashdown</strong><br /><strong>Chris Bryant MP</strong><br /><strong>Menzies Campbell MP</strong><br /><strong>Mary Creagh MP</strong><br /><strong>Lord Kinnock</strong><br /><strong>Lord Roper</strong><br /><strong>Bill Newton-Dunn MEP</strong><br /><strong>Chris Davies MEP</strong><br /><strong>Nia Griffith MP</strong><br /><strong>Phil Bennion MEP</strong><br /><strong>John Thurso MP</strong><br /><strong>Julian Huppert MP</strong><br /><strong>Simon Wright MP</strong><br /><strong>Lord Berkeley</strong><br /><strong>Baroness Kinnock</strong><br /><strong>Simon Hughes MP</strong><br /><strong>Ben Bradshaw MP</strong><br /><strong>Chris Huhne MP</strong><br /><strong>Stephen Gilbert MP</strong><br /><strong>Linda McAvan MEP</strong><br /><strong>Michael Cashman MEP</strong><br /><strong>Lord Dykes</strong><br /><strong>Baroness Faulkner</strong><br /><strong>Don Foster MP</strong><br /><strong>Ian Swales MP</strong><br /><strong>Fiona Hall MEP</strong><br /><strong>Catherine Bearder MEP</strong><br /><strong>Stephen Hughes MEP</strong><br /><strong>Lord Teverson</strong><br /><strong>Lord Lester</strong><br /><strong>Lord Lee</strong><br /><strong>Baroness Ros Scott</strong><br /><strong>Lord David Chidgey</strong><br /><strong>Baroness Harris</strong><br /><strong>Wayne David MP</strong><br /><strong>Paul Blomfield MP</strong><br /><strong>Lord Sharkey</strong><br /><strong>Baroness Parminter</strong><br /><strong>Lord Stoneham</strong><br /><strong>Arlene McCarthy MEP</strong><br /><strong>Derek Vaughaun MEP</strong><br /><strong>David Martin MEP</strong><br /><strong>Baroness Goudie</strong><br /><strong>Malcolm Bruce MP</strong><br /><strong>Sarah Ludford MEP</strong><br /><strong>Catherine Stihler MEP </strong><br /><strong>Mary Honeyball MEP</strong><br /><strong>Lord Maclennan</strong><br /><strong>Lord Tope </strong><br /><strong>Lord Liddle</strong><br /><strong>Baroness Liddell</strong><br /><strong>Baroness Warnock</strong><br /><strong>Glenis Willmott MEP</strong><br /><strong>Richard Howitt MEP </strong><br /><strong>Baroness Quin</strong><br /><strong>Lord Williams</strong><br /><strong>Mike Gapes MP</strong>