50 reasons #whyIamIN
By Giles Goodall in Liberal Democrat Voice
Originally published by East Midlands Liberal Democrats
Nick Clegg's passionate yesterday morning for everyone who cares about Britain's future in Europe to speak out will have been music to Lib Dem ears - and those of many more beyond. As Nick said, the antis have had it their way for far too long. Their arguments do not stand up to scrutiny and the pro-European case is just waiting to be made.
As #whyIamIN started to trend on Twitter yesterday, I started to think about just why we are better off in the EU, so taking my cue from Nick's speech I came up with not one, but 50 reasons. Please feel free to add more in the comments section!
1. We're members of the world's biggest marketplace - with 500 million consumers
2. 3 million British jobs are linked to the EU Single Market
3. No paperwork for small businesses exporting in Europe
4. International companies invest here because we're a springboard to the EU
5. It gives us access to trade agreements with 50 countries around the world
6. We're negotiating new ones with Japan and the US - which could be worth £10bn a year
7. We're taken seriously by the rest of the world because we're part of the EU
8. British police depend on cooperation with their EU counterparts
9. EU cooperation has helped us catch terrorists, murderers and paedophiles
10. Organised crime would flourish if we left
11. Over 1 million Brits live, work and study other EU countries
12. Over 1 million other EU citizens live, work and study in the UK
13. We can travel quickly and easily all over Europe
14. We have access to healthcare when travelling too
15. Cheaper flights because of the Single Market
16. Passengers have rights if their flight is delayed or cancelled
17. Mobile roaming charges are cheaper - and will be phased out
18. Brits can retire in the sun and still claim a pension
19. We have better consumer rights - like exchanging a faulty product for 2 years
20. We can better tackle climate change with EU action
21. Our voice is louder at the global table as part of the EU
22. The EU costs us less in a year than we spend on the NHS in 3 weeks
23. No EU law is passed without the input of our MEPs and ministers
24. Britain is a major player in the EU and can shape it to our goals
25. The European Commission is smaller than Birmingham City Council
26. British universities and researchers benefit hugely from EU funding
27. Our students have the right to study abroad (and get Erasmus grants)
28. Farmers and fishermen here have a level playing field in Europe
29. Products are cheaper for consumers because of the Single Market
30. The EU is cutting red tape: over 5,000 regulations have been scrapped in 8 years
31. EU membership has helped transform 14 former dictatorships
32. The EU has helped keep the peace for half a century
33. Our water, soil and beaches are cleaner
34. Our food, toys and electrical products are safer
35. Lead-free petrol and better air quality
36. The EU amplifies our voice in foreign affairs
37. The EU amplifies the impact of our development policy
38. Everyone has the right to work without discrimination
39. We get at least one day off a week
40. We get 4 weeks paid holiday a year
41. We can have a 20 minute break if we work more than six hours
42. Women have the right to equal pay
43. We have the right to vote in local and European elections wherever we live in the EU
44. In countries where Britain doesn't have an embassy, we can call on any other EU embassy
45. Support for democracy and human rights around the world
46. EU rules break-up monopolies and cartels
47. The strongest wildlife protection in the world
48. Improved animal welfare standards
49. Financial support for areas hit by industrial decline
50. We can learn from other European countries who do things better than us
* Giles Goodall is a Lib Dem European Parliamentary Candidate for South East England