East Midlands Euro candidate Issan Ghazni said that Britain must be a critical friend to Europe and continue to push the case for reform.

On a recent visit to High Peak local party AGM in Chapel-en-le-Firth in North Derbyshire, Ghazni stressed that the UK should use its' influence to reform issues like the Common Agricultural Policy rather than abandon Europe as UKIP and many Tories want to do.

He said: "On balance Europe has been good for Britain. Good for job creation, good for human rights and good for the environment. It's important to be a critical friend, not a blind cheerleader.

"We must pull out all the stops to re-elect Bill Newton-Dunn because we need hardworking MEPS like Bill to fight for modernisation and efficiency in Europe as well as fight for regional investment to create more local jobs."

Ghazni said he was delighted to meet local activists. In a question and answer session he said that positive engagement with Europe meant we can make more progress on financial transparency and accountability in decision-making by the European Council of Ministers and the European Commission.

He was a passionate European but that should not prevent Lib Dems from asking hard questions about efficiency so that more cash can be freed up to invest in the regions, including the East Midlands.

Ghazni said that the party can be confident that we can take back political ground from UKIP and the Tory Right by arguing for all the positive reasons why we should be in Europe.

Tony Rogers, chair of the regional party was also present, spoke positively about why the European Community was originally set up; to prevent war and increase economic co-operation for the benefit of all..

Ghazni endorsed the suggestion that new telephone canvassing teams are set up and offered to help an East Midlands local party that wants to do this.

CONTACT ISSAN

Lib Dems! I am more than happy to help out in your East Midlands local area. Please get in touch. You can email me on: issanghazni@email.com

Twitter - @issanghazni

Facebook - groups/issanghazni