NORTH EAST MEP SAYS LISBON TREATY WILL BE GOOD FOR BRITAIN

12.00.00am GMT Wed 4th Nov 2009

NORTH EAST Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall has welcomed the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, declaring that it will be good for Britain and that it takes the country into the 21st century.

Said Fiona:

"The Lisbon Treaty is supported by every government in Europe and by every one of its 27 parliaments. It has been ratified by the same democratic process by which every other treaty has been ratified.

"This treaty is good for Britain and for the North East. It enshrines in European law our deeply held belief in democracy, freedom and the rule of law. And it enables the European Union to become more effective on the world stage. It makes it easier for decisions to be taken and for obstacles to much-needed reform to be overcome.

"The Lisbon treaty makes the EU more democratic by giving directly elected MEPs a greater say in legislation including on trade, key for a manufacturing and exporting region like the North East. It also, for the first time, brings in the opportunity for national parliaments to object to laws being discussed at a European level. And it makes clear that any country that wishes to leave the EU can do so."

Stressing that it is in Britain's interest to play a full part within a stronger and more democratic European Union that will be brought about by the Lisbon treaty, Fiona added:

"It will help us at last to turn away from 19th century isolation and look positively to the European partnership of the 21st century. Only if we work closely with our European partners will we be able to influence global politics and be taken seriously by the big players - the US and China - on the world stage.

"The Conservatives need to face up to this reality and change their isolationist approach to Europe. Britain needs the EU in order to get its voice heard in the world."