David Rutley has today set out his position on the forthcoming EU referendum. David said:
“Like many people, I regard myself as a Eurosceptic and, since becoming a Member of Parliament, I have worked hard for a resettlement of the UK's relationship with the European Union and for wider EU reform. I have met with parliamentarians from countries including Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain, to discuss these important issues. I also worked as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Europe Minister from 2014-15.
Having now had the chance to review the details of the outcomes of the negotiations with the EU and actively listen to the views of local residents and businesses, I have decided that on balance I will be voting to remain in the EU at the referendum. This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have made since becoming a Member of Parliament.
I fully recognise that the EU is far from perfect. The Prime Minister has worked hard to negotiate a new deal with the EU, and I respect him for doing that. I also believe that EU institutions and other EU member states have missed an opportunity to not only put a better offer on the table for the UK, but also to use the negotiation as a chance to tackle real challenges that the EU itself faces, such as the pressures of increased migration. That said, the EU is now actively working to develop plans to reform migration policy outside of the Brexit debate.
There are, then, legitimate arguments on both sides of the debate. However, for me, the economic arguments for continuing to be part of the EU have been the main factor in making my decision. Prior to becoming an MP, I worked for twenty years as a senior executive with companies such as PepsiCo, Asda Wal-Mart and Barclays and learned how important access to the EU Single Market is for the UK’s economy. If there were a vote to leave, other options to secure access to this market would, in time, no doubt be negotiated, but this would not be granted freely and we do not know what the price would be for continued access.
This is an important decision for the country and for the future of the EU. The debate needs to be conducted in a respectful and measured way, with the merits of both sides of the debate being put clearly. I will do all that I can to encourage such a debate.
Whatever the merits of each side of the debate, I am pleased that the Government is now delivering on its commitment to give the British public and the people of Macclesfield the chance to have their say on the UK’s relationship with the European Union. On 23rd June, it will be time to for the people to decide.”