Cameron's Broken Promises, The Bruges Group - TODAY

Cameron's Broken Promises

The Bruges Group spearheads the intellectual battle against the notion of "ever–closer Union" in Europe and, above all, against British involvement in a single European state. Press Release: Embargoed until Midnight Sunday 3rd October Why the election pledges must be honoured In Birmingham at the Conservative Party Conference the Bruges Group will expose how key election pledges have been abandoned It is a matter of great disappointment and regret that the Prime Minister has dropped his own manifesto commitments to take back powers from Brussels and to protect the UK from the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights; this is despite the fact that he was elected promising to do so. To make matters worse the pledge to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty was already abandoned At this year’s Conservative Party Conference the Bruges Group will make the case as to Why the election pledges must be honoured. And why the Conservative leadership must stop selling-out on Europe to the Lib Dems. Details of the important Bruges Group fringe meeting on Monday 4th October at 2.30pm are below. Roger Helmer, Conservative MEP, will say, "Many Conservatives hoped that a Conservative-led government would take a firmer line on Europe. Yet despite all the loose talk of a 'Referendum Lock', we are now handing powers to Brussels arguably faster than Labour did. It’s time to take stock and ask why?" Melanie Phillips will say, "'Abandoning the referendum pledge wasn't the half of it. The Tories are abandoning their undertaking to defend Britain's capacity to govern itself as an independent nation." Robert Oulds, Director of the Bruges Group, will say, "We know that many of the key issues facing this country cannot be addressed without freeing the UK from the burdens that unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats in Brussels place upon Britain. A useful first step for the Government will be to cut the billions of pounds of our money that is paid to the EU each year. "Our present Government is not protecting the national interest and seems to be putting short term political expediency above honouring the pledges that were made at election time, above democracy and above tackling the economic harm caused by the EU." INTERVIEWS WITH THE SPEAKERS WILL BE AVAILABLE The Speakers ROGER HELMER MEP Following a successful career in business Roger was first elected to the European Parliament in 1999. He has found his decades of business experience invaluable in the European parliament, not least in helping him to fight the battle against the tide of intrusive and prescriptive EU regulation and red tape which is causing great damage to Britain’s economic competitiveness. Roger was appointed the Honorary Chairman of The Freedom Association on St George’s day in 2007, a role which he continues to hold. He has earned a reputation - and even the grudging respect of political opponents – for his clear, consistent and forthright approach to the question of Britain’s relationship with the EU. Roger believes the British people have the right, the ability, the will, and the manifest destiny to govern themselves. He also spoke out when the Conservative leadership dropped its pledge to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Roger is the author of the Bruges Group publication Cool Thinking on Climate Change. He has also published two other books on European issues, Straight Talking on Europe and A Declaration of Independence. MELANIE PHILLIPS Melanie Phillips is a British journalist and author. She is best known for her controversial column about political and social issues which currently appears in The Daily Mail. Awarded the Orwell Prize for journalism in 1996, she is the author of All Must Have Prizes, an acclaimed study of Britain’s educational and moral crisis, which provoked the fury of educationists and the delight and relief of parents. Her book Londonistan was published in the US and UK in 2006 and immediately became a best-seller. Her latest book, The World Turned Upside Down: The Global Battle over God, Truth and Power is published by Encounter. She also wrote a play, Traitors, which was performed at the Drill Hall in London. LOCATION: The Birmingham & Midland Institute Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BS