WESTMINSTER
meeting which happened earlier this week. It could prove a vital injection of momentum into a badly stalled set of negotiations that have caused some to question whether a two-state solution is even any longer possible.
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Now the violence has stopped, we need the talking to start so that progress can be made towards agreeing a negotiated two-state solution which will bring the security and peace that the people of the region deserve.
The EU has been a hot topic following the summit to determine the union budget. I’m concerned that the stance of the Prime Minister is putting us in a difficult position. There is much we need to do to make the EU work better for Britain. Reform is needed and will be difficult, and it will have its frustrations, but one thing is certain: for business, for jobs and for wealth creation, it is better to reform Europe than to leave. But I am extremely worried about
Britain’s future in Europe. David Cameron says he wants to stay in Europe, but he is too weak to ensure that we do. The centre of gravity has shifted on the Government benches, with some of the Prime Minister’s most senior colleagues now saying they want to pull out of the EU. This makes for a very dangerous moment for Britain and British business. The EU is essential for British business.
It is a single market of 500 million people – where we do 60 per cent of our trade. It attracts huge inward investment to the UK. Withdrawal would leave Britain voiceless and powerless, on the outside looking in at forums like world trade talks. With 25 million people without jobs
across Europe, the EU undoubtedly needs reform. To do that, we need to build alliances for change and ensure countries like ours who aren’t in the Euro aren’t penalised. The Prime Minister should be building
alliances in Europe to support a plan for jobs and growth; reform further the EU budget so that money is better spent, on things like
infrastructure, energy and innovation; and change the rules of the EU on issues like state aid so that we can pursue a proper industrial policy without hindrance.
I know many constituents are concerned about the UK Government’s commitment to tackling climate change. As well as failing to fulfil promises on the environment, the Government are also losing important opportunities for jobs in new low carbon energy and technology. That’s why last month Labour leader Ed Miliband called on the Prime Minister to make a commitment to the 2030 de-carbonisation target so that investors all over the world know we are open for low carbon business. It is not only environmental groups that
are calling on the Government to commit to these targets. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) believes low carbon business could halve our trade deficit by 2014-15. And yet, despite David Cameron’s promises that this Government would be the greenest government ever, we have a government that has delayed crucial decisions on the Green Investment Bank and de-carbonisation targets. The short-sightedness of the
Government means billions of pounds in investment are going elsewhere or being put on hold. Since the Government came to power, investment in renewable energy hasn’t gone up. It hasn’t even stagnated. It has halved. I’m really concerned that the investors who want to invest in our low carbon sector are shutting their wallets or going elsewhere.
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