Why Labour?

In today’s European Union, Britain is a strong voice acting for the best interests of its citizens. Our dedicated engagement in the EU means that we can continue to ensure that families and business get the best deal from our EU membership whilst at the same time tackling global issues to ensure a fairer world for all.

The economic crisis demonstrated why working together with other members of the European Union to address global challenges is so important. With 27 member states, the EU is the largest single market and British-based businesses are taking full advantage of being part of it. More than half of all our trade is with the rest of Europe and millions of jobs are dependent on it. From promoting economic reform to fighting climate change and international crime we know that we will benefit from working with our European partners rather than standing alone.

Key achievements

• Signed the Social Chapter and introduced measures including: four weeks’ paid holiday; a right to parental leave; extended maternity leave; a new right to request flexible working; and the same protection for part-time workers as full-time workers.
• Led the way in Europe to agree a coordinated response to the economic downturn to help families and businesses through difficult times.
• A better deal for British families, including halving the cost of domestic phone calls and air travel in the EU, cutting the cost of mobile phone calls and texts across EU borders and proper compensation for air passengers ‘bumped’ from flights.
• Strengthened minimum environmental standards across Europe. Our rivers, beaches and water are now the cleanest they have ever been.
• Secured measures to make Britain safer, including a European Arrest Warrant to make it more difficult for criminals to avoid arrest by moving between EU countries

A future fair for all:

• Work with other European partners and promote economic reform to make Europe more competitive and to secure more job opportunities for British people.
• Press other European countries to match and carry forward our commitment, as part of an EU wide agreement, to move from 20 per cent to 30 per cent reductions in emissions by 2020 compared to 1990.
• Press for further reform of the Common Agricultural Policy to ensure farming becomes more competitive, sustainable and innovative.
• Promote further enlargement of the EU, including support for the entry of Turkey and Croatia as long as relevant conditions are met.
• Work with EU partners to achieve a global trade deal to cut tariffs and help lift millions out of poverty.