Long Slams EU Withdrawal Debate

This week's debate at Westminster on the UK's continued membership of the European Union (EU) is sending out the 'wrong signals'.

The East Belfast Alliance MP Naomi Long has said that the motion debated in Westminster on Monday on whether to have a referendum on membership of the EU is sending out a very damaging message about the UK.

Naomi Long MP (pictured) said: "I believe that the holding of an in/out referendum on EU membership at this time would be a very retrograde step and would oppose any such move.

"The timing of this debate is extremely poor and quite cynical," she said as the Eurozone is facing many serious challenges economically.

"Whether the UK remains in the EU or leaves it will not alter the fact that these challenges impact on us directly, as the EU is our most significant export and import market.

"Our efforts should, therefore, be focussed on trying to resolve these issues to protect the UK national interest, rather than debating a motion which, if passed and acted upon, would create further instability in our economy," she said.

"This debate is reminiscent of those of the 1980s, when the Conservative Government was under constant internal pressure to withdrawal from the EU.

"It would appear to be motivated more by a wish to embarrass David Cameron and create cracks in the Coalition Government.

"Regardless of my own reservations about much of the Government policy, I cannot see how weakening it further on the international stage can be in the country's best interests," the Deputy Alliance Party Leader said.

"The Government has already committed that any further EU treaty changes will have to be approved by referendum so no further constitutional changes or EU integration will happen without the approval of the public.

"I believe that to be a sensible and measured way of protecting UK interests going forward."

She added: "Northern Ireland has gained financially as a result of being in the EU, more so than any other region of the UK, and the impact of withdrawal would, therefore, be damaging not only in terms of the loss of that funding but also the message it would send out at a time when we are trying to attract investment and jobs to Northern Ireland from Europe and beyond."

(BMcC)