Cameron, EU leaders agree on deal to ease stay of Britain in the EU
Britain needs Europe, and Europe needs Britain. If I picture a Europe without Britain I see a union of citizens sadly diminished, without the many British friends with whom I have fought over the years for a solidarity economy, sustainability and social justice.
If I picture a debate in the European parliament without my British colleagues, I see a debate with a lot less humour and fewer smart ideas. If I picture a European Union without Britain, I see a union with a weaker economy, weaker rule of law and a lot less relevance in foreign affairs.
That’s why it is positive news that David Cameron and the other 27 leaders of the EU countries agreed a deal that makes it easier for Britain to remain in the EU.
For Britain and for Europe it’s a good deal, because it is balanced. It does not overturn our existing union, but it takes some important steps to meet British concerns. On currency and banking, Cameron got the reassurances he had asked for: Britain never has to join the euro, and it can’t be discriminated against for not joining. On the other hand, the euro remains a fundamental objective for other member states. The City of London cannot veto decisions made in the eurozone but gets some protection against being overruled by it. This is only fair for both sides.
The debate over “ever closer union” appeared to be a rather symbolic battle over a future political union. This overarching objective of the union is not cast into question, but the deal recognises different options for individual states. The more substantial change in the battle over power is the right for national parliaments to block laws made in Brussels. This is positive for democracy and could even stir a greater national public debates about EU policies.
