Gary Titley MEP contributes to Fabian Society Progressive Manifesto Lecture series - 2009-03-16

Gary Titley MEP, Labour's Leader in Europe for over six years, delivered a thorough analysis of the current debate on Europe, both at domestic and European level, at a joint event on 12^th February between the European Parliamentary Labour Party and the Fabian Society.

Despite twenty years as an MEP, Titley, who stepped down as Leader in January, focused less on post-1989 Europe and more on the scale of its future challenges, including:

Will Europe ultimately exert an influence proportionate to its size and strength, or will it remain in a mood of negative introspection?

Why is there now less understanding and popularity of the European Union in Britain after the '97 election of the most pro-European government for decades?

Will the current economic crisis prove to be Europe's chance to direct the argument, or the latest missed opportunity?

In the lecture entitled 'Eight Wishes and a Warning', Titley vigorously rejected the argument that Europe was less relevant in a global age: ‘We have a global voice because we have a European voice' he argued.

Admitting that it would be an uphill battle, the Labour MEP maintained that pro-Europeans must make the case for Europe, as European action is crucial for Britain's future and governance.

Titley concentrated most on Europe's potential to contribute to its citizens and the world, but did not skirt the difficult issue of Euroscepticism within the Establishment, warning:

'We have to stop being frightened by Europe and embrace it as an essential element of winning the fight for Britain's future. That is my eighth and toughest wish but also my warning.  If we do not change the nature of the debate in Britain we will lose control of the European agenda and will find ourselves fighting an uphill battle to keep Britain in the EU.'

Titley's 'wish list' is as follows:

1. Full Cabinet status for the Europe Minister, with the portfolio moving from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to the Cabinet Office, ensuring a cross-Governmental response to European issues

2. Closer military co-operation with the new US administration to end 'Europe against America' and extend multilateralism

3. European supervision of financial services, allowing for stability and growth in the internal market

4. An effective European Energy Policy, including a pan-European energy grid and strategic energy storage policy

5. A defined external policy for the Eurozone and official representation on the IMF

6. More emphasis on the social dimension of Europe, so economic and employment objectives do not overshadow citizens' welfare and social cohesion

7. The child at the heart of EU social policy

8. Demonstrate how Europe is an essential part of the governance of Britain, with Europe as part of mainstream Government policy

Following the lecture, a panel of invited speakers offered their responses. The panel consisted of Martin Kettle of the Guardian; Wayne David MP, former MEP and EPLP leader; and Sunder Katwala, General Secretary of the Fabian Society, who also chaired the event.

The full text of the lecture is available here.

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