EU Budget (Surcharge)

Debate between George Osborne and Greg Hands

Monday 10th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Osborne]

My hon. Friend is right. That is why previous Conservative Governments achieved things such as the opt-out from the single currency, even though the previous Labour Government toyed with the idea of joining the single currency, which reveals—

[The Treasurer of Her Majesty’s Household (Greg Hands)]

It is still their policy.

[Mr Osborne]

The Government Deputy Chief Whip reminds us that it is still official Labour policy to join the single currency. My hon. Friend the Member for South Dorset (Richard Drax) is right that different economic models and different economic policies are appropriate for different countries, but I would make the broad point that freer markets and lower taxes seem to help most countries.