A Liberal Democrat vote next Thursday offers positive alternative on Europe

The Liberal Democrats are campaigning on a platform that Europe delivers real benefits for people in the economy, dealing with crime and protecting the environment. Liberal Democrats will continue to champion reform and transparency: in company and financial regulation, in EU institutions and in MEPs allowances.

Economy and jobs: More than 3 million UK jobs, £70 billion in pay, depend on trade with other EU countries. This is ten times more than the net cost of being in the EU. There are lots more benefits too, such as cheaper goods and inward investment which also creates jobs.

Crime: Initiatives like the European Arrest Warrant help us to catch terrorists and criminals who operate across national borders. This was a Liberal Democrat idea. We see cooperation with our neighbours in this way as helpful to ordinary people. Informal cooperation is not enough.

Climate change: Pollution and climate change have no respect for national borders. Countries have to work together to tackle environmental problems. Liberal Democrats were key to achieving the EU climate change package, and are ambitious to build it further.

Liberal Democrats say we need strong, active MEPs to help make EU rules suit the UK. Opting out leaves us weak and takes away our say.

This is at the same time that the latest opinion poll in yesterday's Sunday Telegraph put Liberal Democrat support on 25% - in second place ahead of Labour. Clearly the Liberal Democrat message is getting through as a positive alternative that is promoting real change - now is the time to make a difference and vote Liberal Democrat on Thursday.

See http://www.libdems4europe.org.uk/ for more about Liberal Democrats and the European Elections.