Conservatives' European Parliament Campaign Suffers Setback Amid Calls for EU Withdrawal

Conservative campaign for the European Parliament elections hit a roadblock yesterday when a leading MEP urged his party to commit to a complete withdrawal from the European Union. Roger Helmer, the party's top candidate for the East Midlands, called for a clear stance on EU membership, stating that a relationship based on market access and free trade was insufficient. He advocated for a broad disengagement from EU regulations and policies. This move comes as eurosceptic parties across the EU experience a surge in popularity.

Key Takeaways:

• Roger Helmer, a leading MEP and Conservative candidate, called for a clear commitment to Britain's withdrawal from the European Union.
• Helmer argued that the rise of eurosceptic parties is a "wake-up call" for the Tories, who are losing support from party activists and the public.
• He advocated for a disengagement from the acquis communautaire, the entire body of EU treaties and regulations, across a broad front.
• Michael Howard, the Tory leader, attempted to address concerns about the party's stance on EU membership by outlining a plan for negotiating the return of powers over fishing and overseas aid.
• Helmer later clarified his remarks, stating that his aim is to advocate for a more flexible EU, not a complete withdrawal.

Statistics:

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Sources:

• The Guardian (online) - "article by Roger Helmer"
• No specific date or publication date is mentioned in the original text for The Guardian article.