Jim Allister: What the EU means to me

Jim Allister: "I am opposed to the UK joining the Euro"

To me the European Union is epitomised by unbridled bureaucracy, unaccountable decision-making, unnecessary waste, democratic deficit, centralised power, diminishing national control, and a role of paymaster for the UK.

It is a Union with a Brussels driven lust for political fusion, to which national power is constantly haemorrhaging.

This is not my vision for Europe. I accept and want mutually beneficial co-operation between European states, but such is possible without the creation of a European Super-state.

The latter is clearly intended. The proposed Constitution is not a mere tidying up exercise to enable an enlarged Union to run more smoothly.

Individual states require constitutions, co-operating neighbours do not.

Co-operating nations regulate their relationship through entering treaties, not through surrendering sovereignty to a bureaucratic centre.

Clearly, the scheme afoot in Europe is political union. Hence the proposals for a President of Europe, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Security and the bestowing of legal entity upon the EU so that it itself might conclude treaties.

So long as the UK is part of the EU I will insist upon Northern Ireland getting its fair share of funding Jim Allister

I will therefore use my position in the European Parliament to oppose the new constitution. Likewise, I am opposed to the UK joining the euro.

To do so we would have to surrender fiscal control to the ECB, and thereby subjugate our economic policy to the needs and dictates of others.

With lower unemployment than in 'euroland' and the inflationary impact which joining the euro had for others, there is nothing to be gained by giving up the pound.

The Europe which I wish to see is one of thriving nation states, co-operating together to the betterment of those states and the continent as a whole.

So long as the UK is part of the EU I will insist upon Northern Ireland getting its fair share of funding.

Objective 2 status must be secured on structural funding, PEACE funding must be extended, our farmers must be protected in on-going agricultural reform, our fishermen must win back the right to adequate fishing in our own waters and as a region of the UK we must see transparency and additionality in the spending of EU funds.

Enlargement will impact adversely on Northern Ireland, as grant aid now moves eastwards and our nation is called upon to contribute even more.

The lure of cheap wage economies for some of our manufacturing companies will be considerable; we've already suffered such losses in Northern Ireland.

Delivering a fair deal for Northern Ireland will not be easy, but I believe the Euro-sceptic, who comes with no Europhile baggage to curb his demands, will always deliver the best deal for his region.