“Hague’s EU review offers the British people an historic opportunity to reassess the role the UK should play in Europe and for us to reassert Britain’s interest in Brussels,” said Laura Sandys MP following the Foreign Secretary’s statement to Parliament today.
“This historic review is a precursor to the re-negotiation of our relationship with Europe. The review will undertake a full audit of what the EU does and how its laws impact on the UK. The Eurozone crisis has intensified the need for us to take a critical and constructive look at exactly which elements of the EU are working against our national interest. Europe’s intrusion on our way of life and values is all too evident across Thanet: our local fishermen battle against the EU’s bureaucratic quota system; our businesses are bound to comply with suffocating employment law; and our summer tourist events are limited by unnecessary health and safety directives. The Conservatives have always taken a strong stance on Europe and the role the UK should play in Brussels, so today’s Review marks the start of an important journey to reassert British democracy and values.”
The Review will examine what are known as the ‘balances of competence.’ It will review everything deriving from EU law that affects what happens in the UK. This will require the Foreign Office to examine all the Treaties that give Europe the power to legislate, to adopt non-legislative acts, or to take any other sort of action. The Foreign Secretary’s speech to Parliament can be read here: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=PressS&id=787171682