A vote for Europe

We look to MPs to ensure that they deal quickly with introducing the much needed measures which will underpin the innate honesty of most parliamentarians

We now have a short period left to get our message across to the electorate as to how Liberal Democrats will act once we are elected.

Although I understand the financial benefit of running European and County elections on the same date, it does muddy the water. Liberal Democrats believe that much can be done at local level rather than from a distant, central government but we are also firmly committed to membership of the European Union.

Personally I have no problem with the UK being part of the European Community even though it has developed substantially since the 1975 referendum vote which was in favour at a ratio of two to one. There are many now of voting age who did not take part in that first referendum and therefore I do support the demand for another referendum. However I strongly believe that we need to be in Europe in order to have influence.

We can work with other member states for our mutual benefit. These benefits are not merely financial as many opposition parties will argue.

One of most people's greatest fear is that of crime. We can work together in Europe to catch criminals, sex offenders and terrorists. Our MEPs support greater co-operation between police forces such as the European Arrest Warrant that helps Britain swiftly bring back suspects swiftly to face justice in this country rather than wait for the old lengthy extradition procedures.

We cannot deny that British banks are inextricably bound up with banking systems across Europe. We must work together to monitor the way banks are operating across Europe and get a grip on the behaviour of credit institutions. We want more co-operation in Europe between national financial services authorities and the European Central Bank.

We need green, affordable and secure energy supplies. Few of the energy supply companies remain under British control. Britain has the potential to lead the world in clean renewable energy particularly wave, tidal and wind power. The Liberal Democrat goal is for Britain to source all energy needs from within the EU by 2030 and become a net exporter of energy by 2050. This will deliver secure supplies of cleaner energy - and lower bills.

As a nation we generally enjoy travelling to France and beyond for holidays. I certainly love to use either Eurostar or Eurotunnel and arrive in France without the hassle of passing through an airport. At the moment however, not being in the Euro is a definite disadvantage. Liberal Democrats want to open markets in Europe and force down the costs of everything from medicines to mobile phone bills, meals and machinery. Liberal Democrat MEPs stood up for millions of British holidaymakers by slashing mobile phone roaming charges, blacklisting unsafe airlines, and introducing flight delay refunds and will continue to fight for a better deal for Britain's consumers.

We also need to continue to work towards replacing the Common Agricultural Policy with a new policy that strengthens agriculture, ensures fair trade for farmers and delivers sustainable development of the countryside. This would help farmers to get a fair price for their produce. It should also further encourage home-grown food, conserve our countryside, help rural economies, tackle climate change and ensure cleaner water and protect water supplies.

There is always strength in numbers. David Cameron has announced that he intends to quit the main centre-right group in the European party. This will have the effect of moving them to the margins and remove some of the influence they currently have. This is obviously a move away from European integration.

Liberal Democrats believe that in order to do all of the things I have mentioned above and more we need to be a firm part of the European Union working together with like minded people.