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Proceeding contribution from Rob Marris (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 11 March 2008. It occurred during Debate on bill on European Union (Amendment) Bill.

European Union (Amendment) Bill

I think that the high representative and so on are significant. They are a great advantage to the UK because they give us leverage. We can either stand alone, as we could for years as the UK, or we can stand with 26 other member states. It depends on the issue. Foreign policy in the EU is decided by unanimity. It is an each-way bet. Either we stand alone if we cannot agree with the other member states, or we can agree with them and have more leverage and more power in the world. The hon. Gentleman and the Committee are right: that is significant—it is of significant benefit to the UK.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
473 c225 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Disclosure of information Criminal proceedings Accountability Administration of justice Asylum Children's rights Climate change Competition Constitutions Health services Firearms Human rights European Convention on Human Rights Immigration Environment protection EU law EU withdrawal Energy Drugs Human trafficking EU enlargement European Union European Parliament EU internal trade European Constitution Treaty EU common foreign and security policy EU institutions Labour and employment EU reform NHS Qualifications Police Organised crime Older people Referendums Parliament Paedophilia Terrorism Treaties Research Treaty on European Union UK membership of EU Smuggling European Court of Justice Council of Ministers Qualified majority voting Treaty of Lisbon EU presidency
Legislation
European Union (Amendment) Bill 2007-08
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk