Ahead of the full council meeting of Lincolnshire County Council on February 19th Conservative Cllr Tony Bridges is proposing a motion for debate on the draft EU/UK deal. This motion is being seconded by Conservative Cllr Mike Brookes. The text is as follows:

This council welcomes The Prime Minister’s achievement in delivering an in out referendum on our nation’s membership of the EU so that we can all have a vote on this vital issue.

In the ensuing negotiations the PM identified some clear objectives covering matters such as immigration, welfare and sovereignty which could form part of a revised relationship if we were to remain in.

Unfortunately, due to continental intransigence the current ” deal ” offers very little in terms of delivering a sustainable and fair welfare and immigration policy for the UK or the ability to repatriate some powers back to this country.

Lincolnshire, particularly on the east coast has seen unprecedented rise in economic migration which inevitably has put pressure on public services many of which this council provides. It has also undermined social cohesion and confidence in some areas.

It is accepted that most migrants come to provide necessary labour and contribute in many ways. However, as the EU has totally failed to deal satisfactorily with mass migration from outside Europe it is vital that this country is able to control its borders before the situation becomes untenable.

We also need to reduce unnecessary interference and bureaucracy from the EU, in order to successfully grow the Lincolnshire economy, which does not seem currently likely in the negotiations.

This council therefore resolves

That the current EU/EU deal does not offer a good opportunity for Lincolnshire and unless a better arrangement can be negotiated , the United Kingdom would be better placed to grow and develop outside the European Union.