Hitting the Campaign Trail

As momentum gathers, it’s all go on the Libertas campaign trail. As befits the pan-European nature of our campaign, I have spent time this week in Brussels, London and around the UK.


Video of Robin Matthews discussing Libertas' campaign

Yesterday I was interviewed by the BBC for the Politics Show, which will appear on Sunday 29th March. Their approach was very positive, as you would expect from such a well respected programme, and so it was a good opportunity to explain what Libertas is about and the change it wants to bring in Europe.

Susanna Mendonca, who interviewed me, was intrigued about Libertas’ unique position as a pan-European, pro-European party which recognises the potential of the EU, but rejects the current anti-democratic status quo.

Libertas wants a Europe that people can believe in. Currently, the electorate right across the United Kingdom has lost faith in the European project and the only way to restore that faith is to put democracy back at the heart of European Union.

What this means in the first instance is letting people have their say and respecting the verdict delivered at the ballot box. The EU Constitution/Lisbon Treaty, call it what you will, has been rejected by the French, Dutch and Irish voters and yet the EU continues to push it through by any means possible. What part of ‘No’ does Brussels not understand, never mind the breathtaking arrogance of unelected or unaccountable elites telling the people of Europe what is best for them.

Witness Gordon Brown describing Europe as a beacon of hope when democratic citizens across Europe see their hard-earned money being wasted aboard the Brussels gravy train. Last year, Eur 6bn was mis-spent; for 14 years auditors were unable to sign off on the accounts. We can only imagine how much the needless monthly movement of the European Parliament between Brussels and Strasbourg costs, despite the fact that 1 million Europeans have asked for this wasteful practice to be stopped. The Prime Minister further declared how proud he was that Britain had ratified the Lisbon Treaty and yet in a recent poll over 80% of people said they wanted a referendum before any more power was handed over to Brussels. Talk about being out of touch.

Along the campaign trail, it has been heartening to meet people from across the political spectrum who share the Libertas’ values and concerns. As one Labour supporter told me: ‘democracy is not a right wing or left wing value’. Say no more.

On Saturday, 28th March, I will be at the Bath Farmer’s Market and look forward to meeting as many of you as are able to come along and lend your support.