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Nick Clegg’s Letter from the Leader: “Only the Liberal Democrats are, unambiguously, the party of ‘In’.”

by Ian Shires on 14 October, 2013

Published on Liberal Democrat Voice By  | Sun 13th October 2013 – 3:00 pm

This week the Lib Dems got #WhyIamIn trending on Twitter to launch the party’s campaign to show the positive benefits of British membership of the European Union. Nick Clegg takes up the cause in his weekly letter, making the point you’ll hear a lot between now and next May’s Euro elections: “Only the Liberal Democrats are, unambiguously, the party of ‘In’.” As I pointed out this week, it’s not just a cause the vast majority of the party passionately believes in — it’s also smart electoral politics. Here’s Nick’s letter in full…

libdem letter from nick clegg

Dear Stephen,

“Because three million jobs depend on it.”

“Because many problems like climate change can only be tackled if we work together.”

“Because crime crosses borders: justice should too.”

“Because I can buy real champagne for my wedding next month at €12 a bottle in Calais.”

Just four of the reasons given this week as part of a social media blitz to launch our European election campaign. Under the hashtag #whyIamIN over 5,000 people gave their own reasons why Britain is better off as part of the European Union. Richard Branson even joined in, with an article setting out his own view of how important the EU is to Britain and our economy.

You can sign our petition to stay in the EU, and give your own reason for being in athttp://www.amillionjobs.org/in_europe

Next year’s Euro elections, unlike many that have come before, will be all about Europe. It boils down to a simple question: in or out. It’s time for all pro-Europeans to step up and make the argument that our jobs, our livelihoods, our security, and our climate all depend on Britain’s membership of the European Union.

That’s the case I made in a speech on Tuesday morning at Buhler Sortex, a company which manufactures and distributes throughout Europe from its base in east London. They understand that there’s nothing isolation can get you that comes even close to the economic benefits of being part of the world’s largest single market.

And that’s the case we will all be taking to the British people over the next seven months, as we lead up to May’s elections.

Take a look at the parties setting out their stalls for this election:

  • UKIP are the party of “Out”.
  • The Conservatives can’t stand anything European and many, in their heart of hearts, want out too.
  • Labour used to be internationalist but have lost all the courage of their convictions.
  • Only the Liberal Democrats are, unambiguously, the party of “In”.

Let’s make sure we don’t wake up one morning to find that a toxic combination of apathy and Tory madness have taken our country out of Europe altogether. If you believe Britain benefits from being part of the EU: speak out, join your voice with ours, and help persuade your friends, family and colleagues to vote Liberal Democrat. Together we can keep Britain safe, secure, and strong in the world.

Best wishes,

Nick Clegg

Do you know someone who would like to get Nick’s weekly email? Forward this post and they can sign up here:http://www.libdememails.co.uk/nick

Don’t forget you can catch up with all Nick Clegg’s past Letters from the Leader on LibDemVoice by clicking on this link.

* Stephen Tall is Co-Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice, and editor of the 2013 publication, The Coalition and Beyond: Liberal Reforms for the Decade Ahead. He is also a Research Associate for the liberal think-tank CentreForum and writes at his own site, The Collected Stephen Tall.

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