Martin Horwood: An accountable and growth-focused EU

Liberal Democrat Spring Conference called for the UK to play a constructive role in the EU to drive growth and job creation, reform the fisheries and agriculture policies and promote the completion of the Single Market.

Conference also called for a number of reforms aimed at improving the democratic accountability of the EU, such as:

• Ending the wasteful maintenance of the second seat of the European Parliament at Strasbourg
• Respecting the principle of subsidiarity
• Effective oversight of EU funds spent by national governments

Commenting, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Policy Committee on International Affairs, Martin Horwood said:

"Liberal Democrats believe we are stronger together and weaker apart. In an increasingly globalised world, the voice of the UK is stronger when we are standing with our European allies.

"The EU is not a perfect organisation and it needs reform to be more effective. It is clear that the EU needs to be more focused on jobs and prosperity and improve its democratic accountability.

"Liberal Democrats believe that the UK needs to be at the forefront of this movement for reform to improve the EU. It is in our national interest to have a strong, vibrant economy as our neighbours as millions of jobs depend on it."