First E-mail

I am an old-fashioned politician who likes to meet people face to face but there are 12,000 Liberal Democrats in the South-East, so forgive me for this impersonal approach.

Eurosceptics have been winning the European debate in Britain by default because politicians have been too cautious or too cowardly to make the case for the European Union and our role in it. Sadly, our own party cannot be exempted from this charge. For years we have taken our support for the European Union for granted and failed to debate it properly. The Eurosceptics spreading fear about immigration and loss of sovereignty have us all on the back foot. Liberals do not win in a climate of fear. We must campaign on the basis of the good news about Europe and the hope which the EU brings for us all.

We can tell voters the good news about the biggest single market in the world and the good news about EU spending in the South-East. As Head of European Affairs at East Sussex County Council I helped to bring over £60 million to the region.

We can tell people that the EU leads on environmental issues which nations cannot solve alone, not least climate change. As an environmental lobbyist, I know my way around the European institutions and I have successfully changed EU law and policies.

We must tell people the forgotten truth that the European Union has brought peace to Europe and can build a peaceful world. Since the Iraq war security is a top issue. People share our conviction that international law is better than war. I chair Liberal Democrats for Peace and Security and I campaign for a Britain which plays a full part in making the EU a force for peace instead of a Britain which slavishly follows American foreign policy. We can and must become part of the solution and no longer part of the problem.

We can demonstrate that Liberal Democrats lead on all these issues. I want to show voters that the European Union is vital to a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. I ask you to give me the chance to show that the Liberal Democrats are vital to the EU.

Thank you for reading this. If you agree with me, please give me your 1^st preference vote. If you want know more about my experience and views, please read my blog, Hope in place of fear at http://hopeipofear.blogspot.com/

Best wishes,

David Grace