Green Party: Vote ‘remain’ for a safer, more peaceful Europe

10 May 2016

Caroline Lucas: Turning our back on the EU, ‘the most successful peace project of all time would be hugely risky’
Natalie Bennett: 'The European Union’s positive role in fostering better relations between European nations cannot be underestimated'

The European Union has contributed tremendously to a safer, more peaceful Europe, says the Green Party, who are campaigning tirelessly for a ‘remain’ vote in the crucial EU referendum.

Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion and the Party’s chief spokesperson on the referendum, said:

“The Prime Minister is right to say that turning our backs on the most successful peace project of all time would be hugely risky.

“The EU isn’t perfect, but it’s worth remembering that its founding purpose was to make war in Europe unthinkable. And it’s worked. But to maintain peace across the continent we mustn’t rest on our laurels, or simply try and scare people into voting to remain. Instead we must work to make the EU better – more democratic and more legitimate in the eyes of Europeans. Only by doing so can we secure the EU’s position as a peace-maker for the decades to come.

“Neither fear of war, nor of the unknown, will win this debate. Those of us arguing to remain must paint a much more positive picture of how the EU can continue on the road to becoming more open and accountable. A pan-European movement in favour of reform exists already – it’s crucial that Remain campaigners get involved.”

Natalie Bennett, Green Party Leader, said:

“One of the founding principles of the European Union was to promote peace and, in this, it has been stunningly successful – Europe has enjoyed the longest period of peace since the time of the Roman Empire.

“The European Union’s positive role in fostering better relations between European nations cannot be underestimated; from strengthening reconciliation in the Balkans to supporting the peace process in Northern Ireland, the EU has been an essential force for peace. It is of paramount importance that Britain remains engaged in the EU peace project."

As part of a 50 strong group in the European Parliament, Jean Lambert, Molly Scott Cato and Keith Taylor, the UK’s three Green MEPs are focussed on ensuring the EU promotes peace, democracy, sustainability and human rights beyond its borders, and recognises that conflict often results from a violation of basic rights and lack of access to resources. In response to the crisis in Nagorno Karabakh, Green MEPs recently called for a renewed push to ensure a peaceful solution of the issue in the context of stalled international negotiations via the OSCE and urged the EU to proactively engage to this end.