The EU referendum and EU reform

The United Kingdom House of Lords EU Select Committee published a report called 'The EU referendum and EU reform' on the 30 March 2016.

The report examined the UK Government’s objectives on EU reform, and how they evolved in the run up to the agreement reached by the European Council on 19 February 2016. The report also reviewed the Government’s engagement with the devolved institutions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the extent of its consultation with stakeholders in developing its reform objectives.

The committee considered how the Government, in campaigning for the UK to remain in the EU, should present its vision of the UK’s future role in a reformed EU.

The report concluded that the deal reached in Brussels was a 'significant achievement', which justified the Government in arguing that the UK has passed the point of integrating any further with the EU.

Key conclusions
+ The agreement reached in February 2016 gives the UK an opportunity to take the lead in arguing for a more flexible, dynamic and multi-layered EU
+ The Government's case for remaining in the EU, if it is to be effective, needs to be based on an inclusive and positive vision of the UK's role in the EU, rather than relying on narrow economic self-interest and fear of the alternatives.

The Committee also published on the 30 March 2016, alongside the report, a detailed letter to the Minister for European about the February 2016 European Council agreement on a new settlement for the United Kingdom within the European Union.

• Primary Source

UK: Parliament: Parliamentary Business: Committee: House of Lords: EU Select Committee: News, 30.03.16: Government should focus on positive vision for future EU reform http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/eu-select-committee-/news-parliament-2015/eu-visions-report-published/

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: European Council, Brussels 18-19 February 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-brussels-18-19-february-2016/

United Kingdom: House of Lords: Select Committee on the European Union: Report: The EU referendum and EU reform, March 2016. Evidence volume http://www.parliament.uk/documents/lords-committees/eu-select/visions-of-eu-reform/eu-referendum-and-eu-reform-evidence-volume.pdf

EUObserver, 31.03.16: Lords: Cameron should convey positive Yes message https://euobserver.com/political/132851

---