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Baroness Angela Smith, Shadow Leader of the House of Lords

Debate on the Prime Ministers EU referendum statement
22 February 2016
I thank the Noble Lady, the Leader of the House for repeating todays statement, and which
is so hugely significant for the future of our country and our place in the world.
My Lords, clearly anyone could be forgiven for thinking that the UK relationship with the EU
was the only issue discussed at the European Council. It must be immensely frustrating for
other countries that the issues such as migration, Syria and Libya have not received the
same degree of interest as our referendum has. And perhaps that makes a profound point
because those are obviously issues where European and international co-operation are so
absolutely vital and crucial.
But on our role within the EU, the Prime Minister is clearly relieved that a deal has been
done and that he has been able to announce the date for the referendum. Although at
times over the weekend it was all looking slightly dodgy.
We were told that following the completion of negotiations there would be an English
Breakfast on Friday morning where the deal would be finalised and then the PM would
travel back for a Cabinet Meeting in the evening. But as that breakfast became brunch, and
that brunch became lunch, and that lunch became dinner, it was clear that there were a few
sticking points. And when we saw Angela Merkel rushing out for a bag of chips as
sustenance we knew there was still some way to go.
Perhaps the Prime Minister may have thought he could starve them into submission?
My Lords, finally, the deal was announced not exactly what he had asked for but thats the
nature of negotiation, as any experienced negotiator will confirm. And with changes of
some significance that certainly cannot be dismissed as unimportant, although some have
tried. Then for the first time since 1982, during the Falklands crisis, the Cabinet met on a
Saturday.
Theres an historical connection here in that it was Harold Wilson who as the only Prime
Minister until now to hold a referendum on the European issue, once said: A week is a long
time in politics. Although his referendum campaign lasted half the time of ours. Well if a
week is a long time, the next four months of campaigning are going to seem like an eternity.
There will be discussions, deliberation, and as leaflet after leaflet extolling the views of one
campaign or another are handed out and posted through letterboxes, recycling bins will be
full to overflowing.
My Lords, I predict some excellent debates and factually based communications that will
inform and enlighten. I also predict nonsense, scaremongering and bad temper. And well

have some moments of pure theatre. The will he, wont he? performance of Boris
Johnsons announcement last night was clearly designed to create the maximum spectacle
and drama. He certainly succeeded in that, and he was obviously very aware of the
deliberate impact on the Prime Minister.
But for most of us this issue has to be more than just about personalities and theatrics. It
has to be more than who can shout the loudest or get the most celebrities signed up to their
campaign. And more, so much more, than Mr Camerons deal.
Support for that view has come from surprising sources. It was almost incredible to hear
Chris Grayling on the radio yesterday morning saying it was a relief rather than difficult to
declare his opposition because: Many of us made up our minds weeks ago, but we did the
right thing and let the Prime Minister continue his negotiations. The right thing?
Whatever the Prime Minister returned with was never going to get the support of the very
people, his Cabinet and his party, that he has been trying to please.
When we had the previous statement on 2 February, I expressed our view that too much of
the Prime Ministers negotiating position had been targeted at his own internal party
problems when the only objective must always be the national interest and the key issues
that impact on everyday lives.
Im not suggesting that his deal isnt helpful people will have their own views. But there
are so many other issues that are crucial to the UK and to Europe that we should be taking a
lead on, exerting our influence and trying to create the kind of EU that we take great pride
in.
The Labour Party and Trade Unions played a strong role in ensuring that issues such as
employment rights, guaranteed paid holidays, paid maternity leave and protection for
agency workers were kept out of any renegotiation. Those rights are too important to be
lost or weakened.
The same applies to consumer and environmental protections that have a real and tangible
impact on many if not all of us.
From the cutting of data roaming costs for mobile and using the internet to the
improvement of air passengers' rights. From clean beaches and bathing water, which are
good for our well-being and also boost local economies, to how we deal with and dispose of
waste. Thanks to EU legislation, we can all benefit.
Indeed, given that the air quality here in London and other parts of the UK continues to
fall short of EU clean air standards, it would clearly have been more beneficial to the public
health of our fellow citizens if the government had engaged more proactively on this front.
My Lords, I watched with incredulity yesterday as Iain Duncan Smith claimed that we would
be safer out of the EU, as being part of it increased the threat of Paris Style terrorist attacks.
Is this the same Iain Duncan Smith who supported the Governments proposals to opt out of
EU measures to deal with crime & policing, including terrorism and then found along with

the rest of his party that they had to opt back in to everything that actually worked? And
why? Because it made us safer.
And for so long many Brexit campaigners have been telling us that EU citizens travel to the
UK in order to get benefits and then when the PM reaches an agreement to cut these the
argument shifts to it wont make any difference.
My Lords, as this campaign progresses let us have the kind of debate that can make us
proud as a country and as a Parliament.
Let us try to recapture some of that vision and promise that was in the hearts and minds of
those that first conceived that a way to peace and prosperity was a Europe then divided
and devastated by two wars that would work together across common principles and
values for the benefit of all citizens. Let us have a debate of vision and of facts.
We should recall that in 1961, our application for membership was vetoed because it was
felt wed be too dominant and powerful through our relationship with the Commonwealth
and the US. Yet today maintain those strong and special relationships alongside our
membership of the EU.
None of us claim that the EU is perfect. We all recognise where we think it has been weak
and where change is needed. But wouldnt it benefit this country if we could again be seen
as a powerful figure on the European stage. A powerful country that could take a lead within
Europe. Within an EU that works better for working people that strengthens business, and
brings ongoing and better reform.
Why shouldnt we seek to build human rights, employment rights, consumer and
environmental protections into future Europe wide trade treaties? And taking on workers
from other countries should never be used as an excuse to drive down wages or
disadvantage local workers.
Rather than merely seeking greater control for ourselves, why not seek to stop the pressure
from Brussels to deregulate and sell-off public services. Thats a matter for national
governments.
Why arent we pressing for a more humanitarian and strategic response to the thousands of
refugees seeking asylum, and far too many losing their lives in the process.
My Lords, whatever the outcome of the referendum on 23 June, the EU will still exist just
21 miles from the shores of Dover and across the border in the Republic of Ireland. Thats a
fact of life. If we vote to leave we will still have to manage that reality. Our businesses
large and small who want to trade within the EU will still have to abide by its regulations.
Regulations that a United Kingdom will have no part in making.
During this referendum we will hear a lot of talk about sovereignty, about independence
and about what it means to be a nation state in the ever-changing world of the 21st

Century. Weve also already heard about patriotism. And I so hope that neither side in this
debate will seek to claim ownership of patriotism or denigrate anyone elses.
As I said earlier in my remarks, Im sure I speak for many members of Your Lordships House
when I say that I hope the debate will be more informative and enlightening than misleading
and ill tempered. But my plea is deeper than that.
Already today weve heard the news that the pound is falling in value. Its partly the
uncertainty of Brexit and its partly a Government that is now seen as divided and
preoccupied. This makes the need for a constructive, positive debate not just important
but absolutely essential. Four months is a long time. The Government must not be so
preoccupied with this debate that it loses focus on other issues.
And the debate has to be about the future of the UK not the future of the Conservative
party, as entertaining as that may be. Because this is not about entertainment. This is a huge
decision that faces each and every one of us. It is a real decision about peoples lives.
My Lords, the British people deserve a proper debate ahead of 23 rd June. My party has set
out its position clearly and with conviction and we look forward to making the case for a
stronger, open and confident Britain remaining as a engaged, challenging and leading
member of the EU.
-Ends-