As the leader of Labour's MEPs, I am proud to represent a party which works with European colleagues to improve the lives of British people.
Labour MEPs have a strong record of achieving practical results which make our lives more prosperous, safer and better. Labour has fought hard so that workers in Britain have the right to guaranteed holidays, mums and dads have more time to spend at home with their British kids and we pay less for air travel or phone calls when we are on holiday.
On 4 June voters in Britain face a clear choice in the European elections -between an outward-looking Labour Party that has influence and alliances in Europe to secure new action in the interests of British people, or a Conservative Party which would put British prosperity and stability at risk by choosing isolation. Whether securing our prosperity, making the goods we buy safer and cheaper or looking after our environment, Labour knows that we achieve more by working with our European allies than going it alone.
Our priority at home and in Europe is to help people through the financial crisis by taking the decisive action needed to create jobs and build a stronger, fairer and safer Britain. In the face of difficult circumstances there is much to do and we can do more working with European colleagues than thinking we could do better on our own.
By voting Labour on 4 June you make the choice for Labour MEPs to continue the battle for a more prosperous, fairer Britain. By acting decisively and determinedly at all levels -local, national and European - together we will win the fight for Britain's future.
Glenis Willmott MEP,
Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party
In an age of change, where globalisation has transformed the world, we are faced with new opportunities as well as new risks and insecurities
Labour stands resolutely for the hard working majority of the British people. Our approach is not just to help people now but to plan for recovery, renew our society and ensure Britain can thrive in the future. Only that way will we win the fight for Britain's future.
We will not walk on by while people need help.
In recent months we have taken the radical action necessary to support the British economy. We are acting on a national and international level to ensure recovery both at home and abroad. Our approach is to build a stronger and fairer Britain by offering security and opportunity for the many, not the few. Security to see us through difficult times opportunity to make the most of the chances available.
We are not just acting to see Britain through present difficulties. We have a progressive agenda to create a stronger nation for the future: a plan for building a strong economy of the future; tough action to tackle irresponsibility at all levels in society - from the classroom to the boardroom; and a modern government that responds to people's needs and empowers them to take control of their lives, with a continued commitment to improving public services to world class levels. While we need to act now to ensure the recession is over as quickly as possible, we have also set out clear plans for bringing
the deficit down once the economy is strong again, and doing so in a way that is fair and does not threaten our frontline public services.
To achieve our goals, Britain must be fully engaged with the rest of the world. The world’s problems must be met by multilateral solutions -Labour believes in working with our international partners, in Europe and across the globe. We firmly reject isolationism and we are committed to fighting extremism in all its forms.
Labour is taking action to help families and businesses now and for the future.
By opposing the action we have taken, the Conservatives have set themselves against providing real help now for families and businesses. They are committed not just to spending less in a time of need but also to spend less in the future. By doing nothing, they would deepen the downturn and delay the recovery, just as they did in the recessions of the 1980s and 1990s. They would make Britain weaker not stronger for the future.
Labour has always believed in a fair future for all. And fairness matters even more at a time of profound change such as this:
• fair chances for all, so that everyone can share in the new benefits that progress brings
• fair rules for all, so that no-one feels unprotected
• a fair say for all, so that people have more power over their local communities and services
• and a fair deal for all, so that no-one is let down or left behind.
Labour stands for the many, not the few. Guided by our values we will create a stronger and fairer future for Britain.
We are living in an age of unprecedented change. Globalisation has brought many benefits and opportunities for people in Britain and around the world
However, the global economic downturn has also seen new risks and insecurities emerge.
The decisive action that we are taking at home, in Europe and beyond will get us through the downturn. By working together, marshalling all the resources at our disposal and uniting as a nation, we will move forward to better times.
Labour will take the action necessary to come through these difficult times stronger so that we are prepared for the future. Our immediate priority is to do whatever it takes to give real help to people. Labour believes the government must step in to support people rather than stand idly by and do nothing. Labour will not look back in years to come and say we failed to act and therefore delayed the recovery. Acting now will mean that the recession will be shorter and shallower than it would otherwise be. And we have set out a sensible and fair strategy for paying back what we borrow when the economy is strong enough, one that protects our frontline public services.
Our work in Europe is essential for building a fairer future. We will continue using our influence in the European Union to ensure it delivers on the things that matter to people in Britain -from creating jobs and prosperity to fighting climate change and tackling global poverty.
We are investing now so that we are best placed to take advantage of the upturn.
We will prepare the British economy for the opportunities that will come with new emerging sectors. Whether it is the advent of a low carbon economy, advanced manufacturing or the creative industries Britain will be ready to share in this prosperity so that every person in Britain benefits.