Conference,
The European Parliamentary Labour Party lost one of its most admired members this year.
Philip Whitehead was a political giant, a dedicated socialist, a committed European and internationalist.
He was regarded by all of us as a friend and counsellor.
His death was an enormous shock.
The Labour movement is the poorer for his passing.
When I was elected EPLP Leader 4 years ago, Philip told me to remember that I was not on my own.
He was right I am not on my own.
I head a team of Labour MEPs, all working at the heart of the European parliament.
Striving every day to make a difference to people's lives.
This year alone,
We have driven forward measures to protect workers rights,
We've made our borders more secure,
We have improved access for disabled people on planes and trains,
We have made children's medicine safer,
We have improved safety at work and on the roads,
We have provided greater opportunities for British businesses,
We have made the EU more open and accountable,
And we have strengthened environmental protection.
Labour MEPs don't work alone.
To get things done, we work closely with our colleagues in the 200-strong Socialist Group and with other political groups in the Parliament, building consensus, getting majority support.
Take the European Commission proposal to open up the European services market.
That could have undermined workers rights and public services but Labour MEPs worked with colleagues across the Parliament to change it.
The result is a law which will give British businesses huge opportunities in other markets, and will keep labour rights and public services intact.
Take the proposal to regulate the chemical industry that could have cost us thousands of jobs.
Labour MEPs worked across the Parliament to change it to protect the environment, and protect jobs in the chemical industry.
And the Labour government was not alone when we held the EU Presidency last year.
Labour Ministers were hard at work, building alliances long before the Presidency started.
Never before had a Presidency put so much effort into co-operating with the European Parliament. That was how we got agreement on some very difficult issues like the budget, accession talks with Turkey and making Europe's citizens more secure.
That's the way we work in the European Union.
We build alliances within the Socialist family and across the political divide.
Standing alone we would be isolated and powerless.
David Cameron wants to be alone - the Greta Garbo of European politics.
None of the leaders on the right in Europe want to work with him.
Not Germany's Angela Merkel, not France's Presidential hopeful, Nicholas Sarkozy.
Cameron even wants to go it alone in the European Parliament.
His only promise during his leadership campaign was to pull his 28 Tory MEPs out of the centre-right majority grouping in Parliament and sit with a bunch of dis-credited extremists.
Press photographers were poised for a picture of the Tory leader Timothy Kirkhope, sitting between Jean-Marie Le Penn and Robert Kilroy-Silk.
But then 'flip-flop' Cameron stalled, fudged and delayed his decision, abandoning any European influence the Tories may hope to have for at least another year.
The Tory MEPs don't know if they're coming or going. Half of them say they will ignore Cameron's instructions and stay put, and half of them are extremist Europhobes who would take Britain back to jingoistic politics, and given half the chance, withdraw Britain from the EU.
There is only one female Tory MEP in their group of 28. - like Bridget Jones, all by herself.
Algeria, Ethiopia and Georgia all have better representation of women in their parliaments.
It is a good job that Britain is not alone.
The world is a pretty insecure place whether it is bird flu or terrorism, global warming or the economic challenge of China.
We can only deal with these issues by working together, building alliances.
That is why EU member countries are cooperating to safeguard our energy supplies and invest in alternatives.
It's why the EU is taking concerted action to strengthen our economies, improve our research and development record, safe guard our social standards.
It's why the EU together is working to resolve the Middle-East crisis, to negotiate with Iran and deepen relations with Russia.
In the fight against terrorism, the EU is exchanging information, cracking down on money laundering and seizing terrorist assets.
The new European arrest warrant meant that last year, a suspected London suicide bomber was extradited from Italy in a matter of weeks, not months or years.
Security involves bringing people together, developing understanding and listening.
Earlier this year Labour MEPs invited Muslim Labour party members to Brussels.
They questioned key decision makers.
They met with Muslims from other countries exchanged experiences and developed new perspectives.
Most importantly they were listened to.
Maybe we should all do more of that.
The EU itself is the world's most successful peace process, bringing stability and security to former warring countries.
As the EU has enlarged, it has spread that stability and security across the continent.
Enlargement has brought numerous and untold benefits. It has strengthened our economy and given British companies access to more markets.
It has allowed young people to travel widely and to study in other countries,
and allowed workers to take jobs across Europe.
Those who have come to Britain have filled labour shortages, paid their taxes and boosted our economy.
Free movement of labour is essential for our competitive economy.
Decent public transport won't run unless we have drivers and engineers.
Our health service won't work unless we have enough doctors, dentists, nurses, porters and cleaners.
The service industry won't serve without waiters, sandwich makers and kitchen hands.
How many bars, restaurants and hotels have we been in this week staffed only by British workers?
Working people only have their labour, their sweat and their skills to offer if they want to improve their lives and those of their children.
Why should we stop them?
Most migrants from the new member states are ambitious young people, looking for training, experience and money.
Most don't intend staying long many have already gone home.
Helping working people to better themselves is what Labour stands for.
There is another side to it though. If people work here, pay their taxes here they deserve to be protected from exploitation just like any other worker.
We must crack down on the maverick employment agencies and cowboy bosses who bring this country into so much disrepute.
The people who rip off migrant workers by exorbitant charges for rent and transport.
Who charge for everything including carpet cleaning when there are no carpets.
Who deny proper health and safety protection at work and intimidate their workers.
Protect migrant workers and you also protect the existing workforce from unfair competition.
Conference,
As a local lad it is a particular honour for me to be speaking here in Manchester.
Everywhere you have been this week, you will have seen evidence of the benefits that Europe has brought to this city.
This complex is but one example of how European money has helped transform Manchester and the region.
The opportunities provided by the European Single Market have re-invigorated this city and turned it once again into a power house of the British economy.
Not Europe alone of course but acting together with a hard working Labour council and a Labour Government focussed on delivery.
This is why I am proud to stand here today as a local Labour Party member, as the Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party, as part of a movement that believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone.
Thank you Conference.
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