Euro: Support for Joining

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean Excerpts

Monday 9th May 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

I think I am too young to remember.

[Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Con)]

Given the Government’s warnings that leaving the European Union might result in a war in Europe, so we are told today, mortgages going through the roof and the loss of 3 million jobs, could my noble friend explain how on earth the Prime Minister decided to call a referendum on this matter in the first place? How could my right honourable friend the Prime Minister have possibly contemplated, as he told us he did, walking away from the negotiations and recommending a no vote?

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

Taking the last part of the question first, I do not think it is right for my noble friend to dwell on the negotiations. The point is that we are where we are. We have a choice before us, which is dramatic uncertainty if we leave and knowing what we are in now, with a reformed Europe, if we stay.