Shropshire Star

Cameron's EU goals don't go far enough, says Shropshire MP Owen Paterson

Shropshire MP Owen Paterson said David Cameron has not gone far enough in demanding changes in Britain's relationship with Europe.

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The former cabinet minister, one of the leading figures in the anti-Europe campaign, was speaking after the Prime Minister outlined his four goals for reforming the UK's membership of the EU. It included restrictions on benefits for people coming to the UK, protection of the single market, reducing red tape and exemptions from "ever closer unions" between member states.

Anti-EU campaigners have described the goals as "a gimmick".

Mr Paterson, MP for North Shropshire said: "It is such a shame not to use this moment to go for something which I think the vast majority of people would accept, which is a wholly new relationship."

Mr Cameron said "ever closer union" is not something the country wants.

He said Britain faced a "huge decision" in the in/out referendum promised before the end of 2017.

But he said he was confident of getting what he wanted from reform talks.

Mr Cameron hit back at claims that the four goals were "disappointingly unambitious", saying they reflected what the British people wanted and would be "good for Britain and good for the European Union".

"It is mission possible and it is going to take a lot of hard work to get there," said the prime minister.

David Cameron said benefit restrictions were needed to cut "very high" and "unsustainable" levels of immigration.

He claimed 40 per cent of recent European migrants received an average of around £6,000 a year of in-work benefits - although others have questioned those figures.

The prime minister said he wants the UK to stay in a reformed EU, but he has not ruled out recommending leaving if he cannot secure the change he wants with the leaders of the other 27 EU countries.

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