SDLP leader Colum Eastwood is calling for an ‘IN’ vote by the people of the North of Ireland following the announcement of a deal between David Cameron and the European Union.
And he wants Irish people living in Britain – estimated to be around half a million – to also vote in favour of remaining with the Eurozone.
The deal was reached on Friday evening following two days of hard negotiations by the British Prime Minister with his European counterparts.
The key points of the deal are:
- An “emergency brake” on migrants’ in-work benefits for four years when there are “exceptional” levels of migration. Britain will be able to operate the brake for seven years
- Child benefit for the children of EU migrants living overseas will now be paid at a rate based on the cost of living in their home country – applicable immediately for new arrivals and from 2020 for the 34,000 existing claimants
- The amending of EU treaties to state explicitly that references to the requirement to seek ever-closer union “do not apply to Britain”, meaning Britain “can never be forced into political integration”
- The ability for Britain to enact “an emergency safeguard” to protect the City of London, to stop British firms being forced to relocate into Europe and to ensure British businesses do not face “discrimination” for being outside the eurozone
The SDLP has long been supporters of the European Union.
Their counterparts in the Executive, the DUP, want to leave the European Union saying they want Britain to “reclaim its identity back”.
But the DUP has an MEP at Brussells, Diane Dodds, who takes home a hearty salary every month out of the EU coffers.
Mr Eastwood said today: “The SDLP’s campaign to stay in the European Union started many months ago and we will continue to lead the fight to secure Northern Ireland’s future in Europe.”
“David Cameron’s reckless strategy has jeopardised our membership of the world’s biggest economic alliance, threatened further economic misery on our already blighted border regions and created great uncertainty for the All-Ireland economy.”
“This week 81% of businesses here said they wanted to stay in the EU, with the re-emergence of a land border seen as a major problem by many.
“Figures out today show that incomes in the Republic could drop by as much as 20% if the UK leaves the EU. It is clear that an Out would have disastrous consequences for the entire island.”
He also called on Irish people living in Britain to vote to remain in the EU.
“There are 500,000 Irish people living in Britain and millions more claiming Irish ancestry.
“They have an important voice during this campaign and I speak for all Irish people when I urge each of them to vote to stay.
“A future in the EU is vital for Ireland’s prosperity and future,” he added.
