EU Financial Management

I thank my hon. Friend for giving me the opportunity to become a very famous politician overnight by responding positively to his invitation, but I am certainly not going to. [Hon. Members: ““Oh.””] I am sorry to disappoint; that is the story of my life, I am afraid. It is important that we are clear about where we stand. My position is that much about the European Union could be better and that much about certain people’s vision of what it should be about is very damaging to the relationship of the people of Europe with the EU as an institution. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly believe that this country’s place should be at the heart of Europe, arguing and fighting for it to be reformed and made more relevant to its population. That is where I part company from some Conservative Members and some hon. Friends who would like the solution to be our departure from the European Union. I believe that that would be incredibly damaging to our foreign affairs and our economy. It would not reflect the global realities.