The latest European meddling in our domestic affairs relates to prisoners. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that prisoners should be entitled to vote in elections, despite being behind bars. I’m sure that the vast majority of people will agree that voting is a civil right, not a human right. An individual loses those rights when they commit a crime and, for me, the entire purpose of prison is to remove someone who has committed an offence from society. The Prime Minister has made it very clear that all prisoners voting is a step far too far. He has been clear that he will fight the judgement and do whatever it takes to prevent prisoners from voting.
Standing up for UK interests overseas does not end there. Since the election, the Chancellor has drawn a clear line in the sand over how much Britain should contribute to future bail-out funds. By 2013, the UK will have withdrawn entirely from the European Financial Stability Mechanism which loans to member states. Just as Britain is having to make savings in the short term to ensure we prosper in the long term, so too other EU states should do the same.
And last year's EU Bill has further strengthened our bargaining power in Brussels. Its referendum lock will mean any transfer of powers from Britain to Europe will require the approval of the British people. A new sovereignty clause in the Bill means that ultimate authority lies with the British Parliament - EU law cannot amend our law without an Act of Parliament.
Under Labour, Tony Blair signed the UK up to the EU's Social Chapter which has burdened businesses with everything from health and safety laws to working time directives. And if he had had his way we would have also joined the Euro! But now, under a Conservative Prime Minister, we're finally starting to see a stronger stance in Europe which puts the national interest at the heart of decision making.