EU membership policy

European Union

We believe that the UK should continue to be a strong voice in the EU. We believe that the EU project is worth pursuing, as it has brought major advantages in terms of political and military stability, scientific progress, economic power, and global influence.

However, we also know that the EU is in need of major reform to fit the politics of the future. Bureaucracy and waste must be reduced, and counter-productive programmes overhauled or removed.

We will remain a part of the EU, and we will campaign for:

• Major reform or removal of the Common Agricultural Policy, to operate in harmony with the natural environment and remove market distortions.
• Reform of fishing policy and quotas, reducing waste and allowing fish stocks to recover for the long term future of EU fisheries.
• Reform of the Emissions Trading Scheme (see Environment for more details).
• Increased democratic control of EU institutions, with improved accountability and transparency.
• A reduction in bureaucracy and inefficiency.