Pro Europeans should have nothing to fear from a referendum.

1.51.50pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 21st Apr 2004

Following comments from Michael Heseltine that a referendum on the EU Constitution would only encourage more euro myths, West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne has today told Pro Europeans that this is the opportunity to take on the "Euro myths" and expose them once and for all.

The Liberal Democrat MEP who is addressing the British Chambers of Commerce conference today on 'setting business free in Europe' will tell the audience that businesses should have nothing to fear from the Constitution.

She will say:

"For too long those of us who believe in the EU have let the euro-sceptic press inform the British public about Europe. It is time to settle the issue that has bedevilled British politics for the best part of two decades. The referendum gives us a chance to expose the myths and challenge euro-sceptics to paint a picture of the UK outside the EU.

"Euro-Sceptics are going to have to tell us how we tackle the immense problems of the environment, of terrorism and organised crime, of immigration and asylum seekers, without developing common policies with our European partners.

"In speaking to the British Chambers of Commerce today I will be able to point to changes I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues have made in making the European Institutions have an impact assessment on all new proposed legislation.

"The European Institutions have flaws the same as Westminster and every parliament and Government around the World. What the Constitution will do is make it easier to set the rules as to what should be debated at European Level and what should be debated by Member States. That is the debate we should be having and one we in the Liberal Democrats have argued for, for a long time."

Liz Lynne MEP is a member of the Employment & Social Affairs Committee in the European Parliament and ELDR spokesperson on Health & Safety issues.

Liz will be speaking to the British Chambers Of Commerce

Conference today on 'Setting Business Free in Europe' between and take part in a question & answer session hosted by Jon Snow from Channel 4 News.

Time: 1500-1600

Venue: Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London