New Europe article by Graham Watson MEP - "How the results of the General Election will impact the UK's relations with the EU in the future"

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 3rd May 2010

In the run up to the UK's General Election on May 6th commentators as well as Conservative and Labour election officials have been surprised and (to judge by the media backlash in the right wing press) also concerned at the voting public's enthusiasm for the change that we Liberal Democrats offer.

Britain's politics have been dominated by the left and right swapping power for 80 years. It seems clear from the many doors I have knocked on that people want real change; and change based on fairness.

When Europe has come up in political debates, it is of course a popular whipping boy, with all keen to dismiss the bureaucrats and crazy laws on bendy bananas. But across the spectrum there is a real difference in opinion. Labour's former PM Tony Blair was keen to talk of putting Britain at the heart of Europe, but went on to let Britain stand aside on many key issues. His successor Gordon Brown has been keen to lecture our continental partners on issues such as the financial crisis, but working with other countries involves a dialogue not a monologue.

We Liberal Democrats are certainly the keenest Europeans. Not simply because the big issues and concerns facing citizens, families and communities are similar across Europe; but also since the economic crisis, climate change and international crime are not problems that can be tackled by any country on its own. Criminals no longer stop conveniently at national borders. We need to work with our partners to tackle fraud, drugs and paedophile networks. This doesn't mean we believe everything the EU does is perfect but it shows an understanding that the EU offers us safety in numbers and this is why the best place for Britain remains at the very heart of Europe.

The Conservatives whose polling lead has reduced in recent months are by far the most hostile towards "Europe". They opposed the Lisbon Treaty and the EU constitution. David Cameron's decision to pull out of the moderate EPP and ally with smaller far-right isolationist Parties has already damaged their influence with Governments in Paris and Berlin. They have been keen to garner votes through euro-scepticism and promise to protect British laws and values. Sentiments demonstrated by a refusal to negotiate, empty chairs or throwing around of hand bags achieves very little however. In a 27-member union compromise and careful negotiation are essential. Rows with "Europe" may play well in the popular press but do little to address common problems like our economy.

Unfortunately compromise or agreement have not been tenets of British politics. Labour and the Conservatives have swapped with one another to have single party majority governments for the past 65 years.

Coalition or "hung" parliaments have been attacked. The British Conservatives have warned of the "stagnation" and indecisiveness such a parliament would bring. But experiences of parliaments across Europe don't match with this fear. They can just as well provide the stability needed for businesses and individuals to thrive. For far too long, Britain's two main parties have chosen tribal party politics over tackling the problems we face.

Across most of Europe politicians are much more used to putting tribal differences aside to agree, and stick to, a programme of government. Britain needs a real change in political culture, and agreeing to put national interest over their lust for power is key.

Such an approach may be an alien attitude to many current and prospective politicians currently vying for election to Westminster. But post May 6th it may become a new reality for Westminster, and will certainly have to be an approach for whoever the people elect if Britain's interests are to be best represented in Europe.

ENDS

The published article can be viewed here; http://www.neurope.eu/articles/100540.php