Co-Operation In Europe

EDM number 1541 in 1997-98, proposed by Tony Benn on 13/07/1998.

That this House recalls the terrible cost in lives and property caused by the narrow nationalism that led to war in Europe during this and earlier centuries; believes that the emergence of Fascism was a direct result of high unemployment, and a loss of faith in the democratic process, in the 1920's and 30's; is convinced that close co-operation in Europe is essential for economic and social well-being; reaffirms its commitment to the maintenance of democratic control, through the ballot box, in each and every nation in Europe of all major economic decisions that affect the life and work of their citizens; rejects the argument that the national interest of Britain or any other nation could ever be served by abandoning such democratic control within an economic and monetary union; fears that if such key decisions were transferred to a central bank which is neither elected, nor removable, by the people it could well lead to higher unemployment and a return to the very nationalist responses which have occurred in the past and which are now re-appearing again; and calls upon all the peoples of the European Union to campaign together to oppose the single currency and EMU under the control of a central bank and to work for a free and democratic Commonwealth of Europe, bringing in all the nations on the continent, co-operating at their own pace and through their own governments and parliaments directly answerable to their own peoples.

This motion has been signed by a total of 13 MPs.