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Source: Our Manifesto for Europe - 25th May 2009

Our Manifesto is jointly-endorsed by David Cameron and Sir Reg Empey. It is the shared manifesto of the Ulster Unionist and Conservative parties. Standing on this manifesto, Jim Nicholson MEP will be a full member of the Conservative Grouping in the next European Parliament.

Our Manifesto is part of a UK-wide platform for change with our Conservative colleagues nationally, in Scotland and in Wales.

Our Manifesto offers the opportunity for Northern Ireland to play a full part in mainstream UK politics.

The Conservatives and Unionists Northern Ireland Manifesto shares the central commitments of the national, Scottish and Welsh manifestos - on transparency and ethics; the EU Constitution, including not only the pledge of a referendum if the Treaty is not ratified by the time of the next General Election but also a promise to introduce legislation guaranteeing a referendum for the people of the UK on future EU treaties; the Economy; and cutting value-for-money in the EU.

This platform will be the European agenda for a future Conservative Government - a platform for real change.

TRANSPARENCY AND ETHICS
- Publish a breakdown of all office costs, signed off by a certified accountant.
- Publish details of all travel, including journeys to and from Brussels and Strasbourg and trips to any third countries.
- Publish the names of all staff, contractors and ‘paying agents’ engaged by us.
- Publish all expenses claims online and update them on a quarterly basis. Details included in the Register of Members’ Interests will be published on the Conservative MEPs’ website - providing a ‘one stop shop’ for members of the public to access full disclosure details of their Conservative MEPs’ expenses.
- Continue to oppose - and vote against - any bailout of the MEP pension fund using public money.
- Publish online details of all meetings with lobbyists and interest groups. We will only accept hospitality from lobbyists and interest groups where it is relevant to the role of an MEP, and where this is of a value greater than £50 it will be listed in the Register of Members’ Interests. No Conservative MEP will accept gifts from lobbyists or interest groups.

CONSTITUTION
- Press for these standards to be applied across the European Parliament.
Constitution
- Support a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, the renamed EU Constitution.
- Support the right of the people of the UK to have their say - through a referendum - on any proposed future transfer of competences, as powers are called in EU jargon.
- Oppose any further moves to involve the UK in deeper political integration in the EU.

THE ECONOMY
- Keep the UK out of the euro.
- Support the return of social and employment legislation to national control.
- Work for an open and flexible Europe that brings down trade barriers, both within and outside the EU, and set a course for other countries to join the EU subject to a rigorous accession process.
- Work to cut the administration costs of EU legislation by 25 per cent.
- Defend our opt-out from the Working Time Directive.

MORE FOR LESS
- Oppose wasteful spending throughout the EU, including calling for an end to European Parliament meetings in Strasbourg.
- Work to save up to €1 billion a year and for a firm cap on the EU budget.
- Continue to vote against the EU accounts until they are cleared by an auditor.
- Defend the UK’s rebate so we do not pay more than our fair share.
- Press for legislation to provide greater transparency, access to documents and freedom of information in relation to EU institutions.