Phil Bennion signatory to letter supporting the Reform Treaty.

1.03.43pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 12th Sep 2007

Phil Bennion, one of seven members of the Coalition for the Reform Treaty is calling for the EU to agree to the changes outlined in the draft Reform treaty.

In a letter published in the Guardian and covered in the Independent, the coalition argue that the changes to the treaty are necessary as the EU has enlarged in recent years.

A copy of the letter is included below.

We believe it would be fitting in the EU's 50th anniversary year for the Union to agree the changes outlined in the draft Reform Treaty. These proposals have been precipitated by an increase in EU membership from 15 in 2004 to 27 members today. These enlargements have been very successful, bringing in ten former communist countries of eastern Europe to the EU fold. Any large business or other organization which almost doubled its membership in such a short space of time would have to alter its rules and modus operandi. There is no doubt that if the EU didn't address the impact of new members on its institutions, it would be severely criticised.

The draft Reform Treaty, agreed at the European Council in June, is in Britain's interests as well as the European Union's because it will lead to more efficient, effective and democratic decision-making. Ratification of the Treaty by all 27 EU Member States will help the Union to focus on the issues that really matter including a deeper Single Market and climate change. It is this agenda, rather than excessive debate about institutional reform, that should occupy the EU's energies in the years ahead.

Roland Rudd (Chairman, Business for New Europe)

Brendan Donnelly (Chairman, Federal Union)

Peter Luff (Chairman, European Movement)

Dr Olaf Cramme (Associate Director, Policy Network)

Mary Creagh MP (Chair, Labour Movement for Europe)

Phil Bennion (Chair, Liberal Democrat European Group)

Alex Bigham (Head of Communications, Foreign Policy Centre)

(signed as members of the Coalition for the Reform Treaty)

Related Link:

Letter in Guardian.