The Sun, March 15th 2007

Ruth's article appeared in The Sun on March 15th 2007. Available online at:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007120336,00.html

New campaign gives us a voice

By RUTH LEA
Economist
March 15, 2007

TODAY sees the launch of Global Vision, a campaign group calling for a new approach to Britain's relationship with Europe.

It is backed by some of the City's most respected economists as well as the bosses of Debenhams, Somerfield, construction firm Sir Robert McAlpine and ad giant M&C Saatchi.

Here Global Vision's director, academic and economist Ruth Lea, explains why three out of four Brits want a different relationship with Europe.

"We recently ran some polls of people's views on British membership of the European Union. We were amazed by the results.

Time and time again, we are told that it is "extremist" to believe that this country would be a happier and more prosperous country if it loosened its links with the EU.

Indeed, the word "extremist" is one of the more polite words used. Other words are downright offensive and cannot be repeated in a family newspaper.

But the truth is that our polls told us that the vast majority of people in this country would like a looser relationship with the EU.

We gave people a choice of three options. The first was to "get out" of the EU.

The second was to negotiate a new relationship to keep free trade and co-operation but opt out of political and economic union. And the third was to stay in the EU and conform to its rules and regulations. Roughly a quarter just wanted to leave.

Another quarter wanted to stay. But half wanted a looser, cooperative relationship.

These people are rarely considered in the political battles over Europe. They don't want to turn their backs on Europe.

But they don't want their lives to be ruled by Brussels bureaucrats either.

When the then Prime Minister Edward Heath led us into the Common Market (the EU's predecessor) in 1973, the world was a very different place.

Britain was something of an economic basket case, the "sick man of Europe". It was a country plagued by strikes and the "three-day week".

The economies of Germany, France and Italy all grew faster than Britain's in the Sixties. China and India hardly featured on the economic map - they were sleeping giants and were ignored.

Britain was a country in decline looking for an answer to its problems. It had lost confidence. It saw the answer in membership of the Common Market. At the time it was the right thing to do. But we are now in a new century and the world has moved on.

Britain has changed, Europe has changed and the world has changed. Britain has regained its confidence and its economy has performed better in recent years than France, Italy and even Germany.

The Common Market, which we were told was basically a free trade area, has changed out of recognition.

Its successor, the European Union, is a political "United States of Europe" in all but name.

Almost every aspect of our lives is influenced by the law-makers in Brussels. Our Parliament, when dealing with legislation from Brussels, can do little more than give it the nod.

And the world has changed. China and India are now both economic superpowers. Britain must have a global vision.

It is in the British people's interests for Britain to be free of the bureaucrats of Brussels.

Just ask anyone who runs a business and is tied up in Brussels red tape.

Just think about the money (at least £5billion) we contribute to the EU's budget - money that could be spent on our schools, hospitals and roads.

Our polls show the British people fully understand this. They don't want to slam the door on Europe. But they do want to change our relationship with the EU.

This is why we have set up Global Vision. We believe the time is right to press for a new, looser, more modern relationship with Europe that is right for the future of this country.

We launch today, backed by senior business people and a distinguished cross-party group of economists.

But most importantly of all we are backed by the British people. We aim to give them a voice."