High Peak Liberal Democrats

Roger Helmer misleads the public

The UK does not pay fifty-five million pounds per day to the EU.

This UKIP claim ignores the rebate which Mrs Thatcher obtained, as well as money which is paid to our farmers from the EU's Agricultural Policy.

Helmer claims that some 70% of British laws come from Brussels and that a Commissioner, Mrs Reding, said so earlier this year when she visited London.

She did not. Her office has clarified, since her visit to London, that: "70% of EU laws are co-decided by the European Parliament, underlining the importance of the democratically elected European Parliament in EU decision-making processes. This means that the remaining 30% of EU laws are decided either unanimously by the Council or by the Council with consent of the European Parliament (the other two types of EU decision making processes).

Reding's main point was to emphasise that people should be aware and informed about the role and impact of the European Parliament when it comes to making their decision in this year's European elections.

In the Radio Siren debate at Lincoln a University on 9th May, Helmer claimed that Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty requires the EU to negotiate favourable terms with a country that leaves the EU. Article 50 does no such thing. See:

1. Any Member State may decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements.

2. A Member State which decides to withdraw shall notify the European Council of its intention. In the light of the guidelines provided by the European Council, the Union shall negotiate and conclude an agreement with that State, setting out the arrangements for its withdrawal, taking account of the framework for its future relationship with the Union. That agreement shall be negotiated in accordance with Article 218(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It shall be concluded on behalf of the Union by the Council, acting by a qualified majority, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament.

3. The Treaties shall cease to apply to the State in question from the date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement or, failing that, two years after the notification referred to in paragraph 2, unless the European Council, in agreement with the Member State concerned, unanimously decides to extend this period.

4. For the purposes of paragraphs 2 and 3, the member of the European Council or of the Council representing the withdrawing Member State shall not participate in the discussions of the European Council or Council or in decisions concerning it. A qualified majority shall be defined in accordance with Article 238(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

5. If a State which has withdrawn from the Union asks to rejoin, its request shall be subject to the procedure referred to in Article 49

6. .

For many weeks, Helmer has asked the voters to support him for re-election as an MEP.

Then, last week, a pretty new girl appears on the scene - the Newark by-election. Voters are entitled to hear from him whether he intends to serve as their MEP or not.

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