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European Union Bill

Time and again my right hon. Friend poses the alternative: ““accept what we have, or get out of the European Union.”” Yet now we are talking about reform and change—perhaps even withdrawing from the common fisheries policy. I shall leave that there. I want to reinforce the point made by the hon. Member for North Antrim (Ian Paisley), who talked about officials. I suggest that the politicians, particularly the people at the Commission, pushed Britain to the brink. Recently, we came close to having a referendum that would certainly have produced a no vote. This signal that we are giving to the European Union will emphasise the point that Britain was pushed to the brink of a serious referendum, with a no vote being the certain outcome. This signal will make sure that they do not push us again.