KAS-London

On 1st July, in the context of the German-British dialogue organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in London, the former Prime Minister of Lower Saxony David McAllister met with British MPs for a luncheon discussion in Westminster.

During the discussion, a number of issues were raised including Germany’s elections, Great Britain’s attitude towards Europe, and issues relating to the EU itself. The daily programme included meetings with David Lidington MP, Minister for Europe at the FCO and Andrew Dunlop, Special Adviser for Scotland at No.10 Downing Street.

Prior to the meeting, Mr McAllister participated in the event ‘A Europe that Works – a Business Manifesto for Reform’ organized by Business for New Europe. He was accompanied by Hans-Hartwig Blomeier, Director of the KAS-Office in Great Britain and Peter Wilding, Director of British Influence (the co-organiser of the event).

In his speech, Mr McAllister highlighted the good relationship between Germany and the UK, and emphasised his opinion that it is in the interests of the UK to stay within the European Union. To underscore his opinion of Great Britain being an important member of the EU, he quoted the speech on Europe delivered by German President Joachim Gauck in February 2013.

Despite a busy programme, the focus of Mr McAllister’s visit was the luncheon discussion with British MPs, organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung at the House of Commons.

During this debate, political and economic issues regarding the current situation in the EU were discussed. These topics were of particular importance for David McAllister who has recently been nominated as leading candidate of the lower-saxony CDU for the EU-election and will contest a seat in the European Parliament in May 2014. The upcoming elections in Germany in September and the consequences for European policy were other issues that came up in discussion, as were EU enlargement and migration and the domestic debate on the referendum, and a possible EU-withdrawal, for the UK. Both Mr McAllister and the British MPs agreed on the fact that the UK is considered an essential member and partner in the Union and should stay.