European Affairs

As always, it is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash). I did not vote in favour of entry into the so-called Common Market in 1975, and I was a loyal supporter of the Labour party in 1983, when I thought we had a rather good policy on Europe. Some of us have not changed our mind and will continue not to. I shall be brief, because I know that other hon. Members want to get in. As always in such debates, we could say a lot more than we have time available to. I shall start in the same vein as my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, North (Kelvin Hopkins) by being optimistic. Where Europe is at its best will be seen this weekend in our contribution to the Copenhagen debate. It is right and proper that we have a unified approach and put forward how the UK and the wider EU intend to reduce their dependence on carbon. I hope that we will not only talk the talk but walk the walk and make tangible proposals for how we can reduce our carbon dioxide emissions.