Jim Murphy

The UK’s minister for Europe, Jim Murphy, says that the UK is “more than halfway there” when it comes to ratifying the Lisbontreaty, but, he tells Matt Williams, the conversation about Europehas to move on from an inward-looking structural debate to look atthe wider issues affecting the EU.

The UK has been talking about the idea of a ‘globalEurope’.
Why is it important to start looking at the EU from globalperspective?

“For the last seven or eight years we have allowed, by accident,for politicians, governments and institutions in Europe to discusssomething of crucial importance but in a language which is sodisconnected from the citizens of Europe. We have to stop talkingabout things which interest a few hundred people in a continent of500 million people, and start to talk publicly about the bigchallenges of energy and climate change, terrorism, migration, allthe things which are important for Europe. There’s a conversationstill to be concluded, but we have to get to the end point, or elseby the time we get around to talking about the people’s priorities,they’ll stop listening to us."

You’ve said that today’s task for the EU is to “reconnect thepublic with Europe, and Europe with the public”. How can this beachieved?

"We need to start talking about what Europe does on a global scale.The challenges of climate change, of international terrorism. Whatdoes Europe do as the biggest donor of aid? What does it do aboutthe challenges and opportunities of China and India? We need toinvolve people in the conversation. It’s a better conversation thanthe nature of double majority voting or qualified majority voting.Before I became the minister for Europe, I wasn’t that interestedin the nature of double majority voting, and I’m pretty pleasedthat I wasn’t that interested. Most people aren’t interested, andthey shouldn’t be interested. How can we expect people to have anaffection for a Europe of institutions? Let’s not have anotherround of institutional change and another circular conversationthat switches the public off even further.”

You mentioned in your blog that Cyprus is a personal priority foryou. How can the UK contribute towards this process?

“When it comes to Cyprus, the UK is in a unique position because ofthe combination of being a member of the EU, a cabinet member ofthe UN security council and a guarantor power. No other country isin this position, so we take our responsibility very seriously. Ourresponsibility is that, if a momentum is developed on the islandbetween the two leaders, we will do everything possible to supportthat momentum early on. ‘Once in a generation’ is an understatementwith regard to what’s happening on the island at the moment. Thisis a remarkable opportunity for the international community.Two-thirds of the electorate voted for change, and we now have toget on and deliver that.”

What is the UK’s stance on the situation in China and theupcoming Beijing Olympics?

“Gordon Brown isn’t attending the opening ceremony, but he willattend the closing ceremony. We’ve given our message very clearly.We want to see a dialogue between the Chinese authorities andTibet, and others, and we want to see appropriate responsibility onboth sides. What we’re talking about is the economy, basic civilrights and independent autonomy as a basis for a conversation.“

When will the UK join Schengen?

“There is no prospect for that. We’re very happy the way weare.”

Would the UK government support Tony Blair’s bid to become the newpresident of the European council?

“Tony Blair is a remarkable politician with great skill. He led theLabour party really well and played a unique role during his timeas leader, for example in Northern Ireland. If he was interested inthe role of president of the European council, we would supporthim. It’s a new role, we’re not there yet, and firstly we need todecide what this position is about. How do you fit all the agendas,those of the centre left, centre right, the longer-establishedmember states, the newer member states, east and west? How we aregoing to meet all those criteria, and others, in a set of the threebig jobs, the high representative, the EU president and thepresident of the commission."

What are your thoughts on Turkey’s potential membership ofthe EU?

"If Turkey fulfils the criteria for membership, then it can be afull and equal member of the EU. To do anything else is doublestandards. You can’t say to countries that are entitled to join,“here’s a list of criteria you must meet”, and then say to the onesthat do meet it, “you still can’t join”. It’s a judgement based onachieved and delivered reforms. In this debate, sometimes we thinkabout we’re talking about the Turkey of today. We’re not. We’re noteven talking about the Turkey of tomorrow. We’re talking about aradically different Turkey. It’s not going to happen tomorrow ornext week. I’m optimistic. You have to be optimistic inpolitics.”

• Previous article
• Next article