Isolation in Europe
Posted by Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, at 09:25, Fri 16 December 2011:
Something very serious for the UK occurred when the Prime Minister used the UK’s power of veto at last week’s European summit called to tackle the growing economic crisis. David Cameron’s decision has isolated the UK, and it’s bound to weaken our country’s influence, not just in Europe, but globally, as a result.
Our economy is closely tied up with the fate of the rest of the EU. It’s our principal trading partner, and the City of London, which the Prime Minister was apparently so anxious to protect, hosts the branches of literally hundreds of European banks.
It’s nonsense to believe that we can be immune from the economic conditions across the EU, and it’s madness to have left ourselves on the sidelines when it comes to taking decisions that are bound to affect us.
It’s also naive to believe that Britain’s global status isn’t going to be weakened. Major international players – the US, China, India – aren’t going to take much notice of the UK on its own. The EU needs to work as a bloc to achieve greater equality of negotiating power.
And in the long run, there must be a worry that international businesses will be less likely to invest in the UK and choose other EU countries for their European investment instead.
That’s bad for British exports, and bad for British jobs.
In my view, the events of last week have shown Mr Cameron to be one of the shallowest of Conservative leaders: putting the interests of his party before the long term interests of the country. Mrs Thatcher didn’t much care for Europe, but she knew that we had to stay in the room if Britain’s interests were to be protected.
Now that’s been thrown away. David Cameron may be enjoying a boost in the polls for his stance, but I’m convinced it will come back to haunt him.
This week there was more shocking news on unemployment, including another increase in the rate of youth unemployment, and in the rate of long term unemployment of young people, who’ve been out of work for more than 12 months.
This is a truly desperate situation, and finally the government’s introduced its youth contract in response. This will pay a wage subsidy to employers who take on an unemployed young person.
But it’s too little too late. There’s been a huge gap since the government decided last year to cancel Labour’s Future Jobs Fund that gave young people six months’ work at the national minimum wage. The new youth contract won’t even start till next April.
And only a fraction of the numbers helped by the FJF will be reached by the new youth contract.
I am distressed and angry that more people are facing a bleak Christmas without a job, and that the government’s response is so inadequate. Labour’s 5-point plan for jobs and growth is needed more urgently than ever to get the economy moving.
I was glad to have the chance to participate in the debate on the unemployment figures this week as I know this is a huge concern for people in Stretford and Urmston, something that comes up again and again when I’m on the doorstep.
That’s why, in the last few days in parliament before Christmas, I’m concentrating on raising issues about support for local businesses. And it’s why I was very interested to see the report by Mary Portas published this week into the future of our high streets.
We know all about the need for a strategy to improve our town centres locally, from Stretford to Urmston to Partington. And there are some very sensible proposals in the report, like making better use of empty shops.
Local stores and shopping centres deserve our support, and with my office closing for 2 weeks for the Christmas break at the end of this week, I’m certainly going to be out doing my Christmas shopping.
Finally, let me take the opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a peaceful and happy new year.
Kate Green
Member of Parliament for Stretford and Urmston
Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities tel: 0161 749 9120 (constituency); 020 7219 7162 (Westminster) www.kategreen.org
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Posted by Jonathan Homer, 11:32, Fri 16 December 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
Kate
I have seen Ed Balls with Andrew Marr and Paxman in the last couple of weeks promoting the 5 point plan. Both asked him directly a number of times how Labour would pay for this and in both cases he dodged the question. To Andrew Marr he mumbled something about the bankers bonus tax but Labour have already 'spent' this about nine times and it wouldnt even begin to pay for the proposals.
Regarding Europe you are 100% right that it is important for Britain to be involved in the EU and be involved in negotiating. HOWEVER there was no way we could of signed up to the treaty that was being proposed. It seems clear that Sarkoszy wasnt going to budge and Merkel will be enjoying being the centre of Europe. Once again though we are hearing criticism but Milliband hasnt said what he would of done. Would he of signed up to the treaty, creating the banking transaction tax of which 80% would be drawn from London based business and handing over fiscal control to Germany.
Do Labour really want the Germans marking their economics homework?