EU settlement a '˜good deal for Britain' - Arundel and South Downs MP

In an open letter, the chairman of Conservatives for Reform in Europe argued that PM David Cameron’s reforms had addressed the key concerns members of his party have about the country’s membership of the EU.

These concerns included protecting the UK from further political integration, securing the pound and keeping the economy safe, making Europe more competitive to create new jobs, and dealing with the pressures of immigration.

He argued that Mr Cameron was the first PM since 1975 to take powers back from the EU rather than give them away.

Mr Herbert said: “This is a good deal for Britain and one which I believe Conservatives can and should support.

“Conservatives have long sought a European arrangement which recognises Britain’s unique circumstances and separates us from the drive towards a superstate.

“The new settlement, which will be legally binding, permanently carves Britain out of ever closer union and secures our special status in Europe.”

He added: “Of course the reforms are not enough for those whose agenda is to leave the EU altogether: no renegotiation would be sufficient for them.

“That is why they dismissed this deal before the talks had even started. But this was clearly a tough deal to negotiate.

“These reforms meet the ambition set out by the Prime Minister in his Bloomberg Speech in 2013 and the commitments in our election manifesto last year. David Cameron is the first Prime Minister since 1975 to take powers back from the EU rather than give them away.

“Under the Conservatives Britain’s economy has turned a corner, delivering growth and creating 2.3 million jobs. We should not take an unnecessary leap into the dark with Brexit and risk our economic success.

“I believe that Conservatives should support the Prime Minister and his deal, and that it is in the national interest to remain in a reformed EU where Britain will be stronger, safer and better off.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.