Ming talks in today’s webcast about the today’s debate on climate change at Liberal Democrat party conference and about the keynote speech by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.

Ahead of his Party Conference, which begins tomorrow, Liberal Democrat Leader Ming Campbell, has called for the public to be given a real choice on the European Union.

Ming said:

“It’s time for the political parties to end the shadow boxing on Europe and enter into an honest debate about the European Union.

“We will not know the final shape of the European Reform Treaty until later this year and that is the right time to make the judgement as to whether the changes it proposes necessitate a referendum. My own view is that in its present form the substantial differences between the draft Treaty and the old constitution mean that a referendum is not required.

“But I am not prepared to allow David Cameron to lead the Europhobes and their allies in sections of the media, to distort the debate on Europe without challenge.

“Fifteen years ago Liberal Democrats demanded a referendum on the Maastricht treaty which established the European Union, but the Conservative government refused it.

“Today David Cameron tries to pose as a champion of the people but in truth he wishes to restrict the British people to a choice on a narrow question about a treaty of far less significance.

“I don’t intend to let him get away with offering us such a false debate and such a false choice.

“If there is to be a referendum it shouldn’t be restricted to a comparatively minor treaty. It must be a decision about the EU as a whole.

“Let’s have an honest debate on the European Union followed by a real choice for the British people. That means a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU. We would ask the British people the big question - whether to remain in the European Union or not.

“I will lead the Liberal Democrats at the forefront of that debate.

“We will make the overwhelming case for Europe and trust the people to make the right choice.”

Ming Campbell gave the following address at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., as Chancellor of St Andrew’s University.

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Few matters are more fundamental to Britain’s interests than our position within the European Union.

But Britain’s relationship with Europe has always been marred by a degree of ambivalence, and continues to be so.

It is absurd that when the EU celebrates its fiftieth birthday next year, the UK will have been a member for two thirds of that period – and yet the merits of our membership are still frequently disputed or even denied by some politicians and commentators.

The past ten years have been particularly damaging.

Britain’s economic growth, coupled with our international strength presented us with the opportunity to lead Europe from the front.

But that chance has been squandered.

Labour and the Conservatives have both avoided the European debate.

Not because they fail to recognise its importance.

Rather because they fear its impact on their internal unity and their electoral prospects.

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During a visit to Brussels to meet with the Liberal Democrat MEP team, Ming Campbell MP signed the OneSeat petition to have the European Parliament meet in only one location, rather than shuttling back and forth between Brussels and Strasbourg. The petition was started by Cecilia Malmström, an MEP from the Swedish Liberal Party, a sister party to the UK Liberal Democrats in the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. Over 1,036,653 other European citizens have signed the petition.

Find out more about the campaign to have the European Parliament in only one location »