Election 2010 Coalition Government : Europe

The Government believes that Britain should play a leading role in an enlarged European Union, but that no further powers should be transferred to Brussels without a referendum. This approach strikes the right balance between constructive engagement with the EU to deal with the issues that affect us all, and protecting our national sovereignty.

* We will ensure that the British Government is a positive participant in the European Union, playing a strong and positive role with our partners, with the goal of ensuring that all the nations of Europe are equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century: global competitiveness, global warming and global poverty.

* We will ensure that there is no further transfer of sovereignty or powers over the course of the next Parliament. We will examine the balance of the EU’s existing competences and will, in particular, work to limit the application of the Working Time Directive in the United Kingdom.

* We will amend the 1972 European Communities Act so that any proposed future treaty that transferred areas of power, or competences, would be subject to a referendum on that treaty – a ‘referendum lock’. We will amend the 1972 European Communities Act so that the use of any passerelle would require primary legislation.

* We will examine the case for a United Kingdom Sovereignty Bill to make it clear that ultimate authority remains with Parliament.

* We will ensure that Britain does not join or prepare to join the Euro in this Parliament.

* We will strongly defend the UK’s national interests in the forthcoming EU budget negotiations and agree that the EU budget should only focus on those areas where the EU can add value.

* We will press for the European Parliament to have only one seat, in Brussels.

* We will approach forthcoming legislation in the area of criminal justice on a case-by-case basis, with a view to maximising our country’s security, protecting Britain’s civil liberties and preserving the integrity of our criminal justice system. Britain will not participate in the establishment of any European Public Prosecutor.

* We support the further enlargement of the EU.

Full Conservative and Liberal Democrat Coalition Government Agreement

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Banking

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Business

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Civil Liberties

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Communities and Local Government

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Consumer Protection

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Crime and Policing

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Defence

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Deficit Reduction

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Energy and Climate Change

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Equalities

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Europe

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Families and Children

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Foreign Affairs

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Government Transparency

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Immigration

Election 2010 Coalition Government : International Development

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Jobs and Welfare

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Justice

Election 2010 Coalition Government : National Security

Election 2010 Coalition Government : NHS

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Pensions and Older People

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Political Reform

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Public Health

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Schools

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Social Action

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Social Care and Disability

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Taxation

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Transport

Election 2010 Coalition Government : Universities and Further Education

The Coalition: our programme for government © Crown copyright 2010