It is no surprise that voters might, more often than not, want to hear about issues closer to their hearts, and pockets, especially at these uncertain economic times we live in. But the lack of debate on the EU, and the UK’s relationship with it, during this campaign is truly counter-productive.
There is no denying that the UK’s membership of the EU is of paramount importance in terms of trade relations, job creation, the environment and Britain’s position on the world stage in general. It is hence curious that the EU has received almost no attention since the election was called. Curious but not surprising.
The debate on Europe has been dominated by a small but polemic section of the political spectrum, which ranges from anti-European to xenophobic, and a large portion of the tabloid media that are committed, for their own shadowy reasons, to feeding the public with lies about the EU. As a result mainstream politicians stay clear of ‘Europe’, fearing that debating the case of EU membership is too much trouble for little gain.
But we now have a unique opportunity to speak openly about the EU. If the last debate taught us anything is that speaking to the people honestly and with courage and conviction is the kind of political discord the electorate really wants. Present in the television studio on Thursday will be a prime minister who understands better than most the benefits of EU membership. At the pick of the credit crunch he quickly recognised, and took advantage of, the importance of EU co-ordination when tackling the financial crisis. He effectively led the EU response against the imminent collapse of the banking sector, a process which would not have worked if it was not for member state co-operation at the EU level. He displayed similar leadership when the EU was agreeing its common position ahead of the Copenhagen climate change talks. Next to him will stand a Lib Dem leader that has witnessed first hand, both as a commission official in Leon Brittan’s cabinet and member of the European Parliament, how the EU works and how it adds value. And next to him will be the leader of the Conservative party who, despite his disastrous decision to remove his party from the mainstream of European politics, recognised (with the help of our American friends) the need for continuing and constructive membership of the EU.
All three political leaders have the knowledge, experience and opportunity to start discussing, with real facts, the benefits, as well as possible costs, of EU membership. We cannot allow misinformation, misconceptions and misrepresentation of the facts to continue holding hostage the debate on something as important as the UK’s membership of the EU. All three leaders understand very well that the UK’s short, medium and long term national interest lies at the core of the European Union. It is about time they tell the electorate why. Frankly, clearly and convincingly.