Thread by @JolyonMaugham

Why we should love the European Union. A series.

1. The European Union has kept the peace in Europe for seventy years. Indeed, that's why it won the Nobel Peace Prize. nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2…

2. It makes us strong in a globalised world. Europe's share of the world population is decreasing. By 2050 EU countries will
no longer be among the seven leading industrial nations. But together we are stronger.

3. We are a global model for change and democratic evolution. That is why so many countries have joined us - and so many more want to. The original treaties were signed by six countries. Now there are 28 member states.

4. The EU is profoundly democratic. There is a European Parliament. National Parliaments are recognised in the Council. The head of its civil service - the Commission - is elected. And citizens can force legislative action - or an explanation for inaction. ec.europa.eu/citizens-initi…

5. The EU is not the economic wild-west. The EU guarantees minimum safeguards for workers including health and safety in the workplace, the rights of part-time workers and minimum standards of annual leave and free time.

6. The EU promotes equality across its regions. Poorer regions, particularly those affected by structural
change, are supported. In 2014-2020, we received around €11.8 billion (2014 prices). €2.6 billion went to the poorest regions: Cornwall, West Wales and the Valleys.

7. The EU's Common Agricultural Policy supports farmers, ensures food security and delivers reasonable prices to consumers. instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/com…

8. The EU looks after consumers by keeping big business in check. It has the heft - and the will - to take on anti-competitive behaviour by the big US tech companies including Microsoft, Google, Apple and others.

9. Europe fights tax dodging. The EU is hindered by Member States' ability to blackball its tax policy decisions - and they have fought to keep sweetheart deals in place - so the EU has used state aid rules to tackle abusive tax practices.

10. The EU now regulates banks to protect against another financial crisos. In 2009, the "single rulebook" was adopted to:

* lay down capital requirements for banks
* ensure better protection for depositors
* regulate the prevention and management of bank failures.

11. The EU protects the rights of passengers on journeys - by air and by rail. If your flight is postponed - or your rail trip delayed - it is EU law that guarantees you compensation. (Air eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/…). (Rail eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/…).

12. The EU helps reduce road deaths. The principle of subsidiarity - that, where efficient, decisions should be taken by Member States - leaves power with Member States but the EU has introduced legislation to tackle driving offences committed abroad and on roadworthiness testing

13. The EU protects consumer rights. For orders placed online, by telephone, by mail order or on doorsteps EU law gives you a 14 day no-questions-asked right to withdraw from a purchase.

14. The EU also gives you protection from defective products. If a product is defective, under EU law, the seller must repair or replace the goods or reimburse the purchase price if the goods turn out to be defective. Your no-cost guarantee lasts for at least 2 years.

15. The single market brings down prices for struggling families. Bigger markets mean increased competition and the end of national monopolies.

16. The European Union has cut the price of using your phone abroad. Since 2017, thanks to the EU, you've been able to use your phone throughout Europe with no roaming charges.

17. The EU liberalised the flights market in Europe. Airlines and airports compete with each other across Europe, so that any airline can offer flights on any route in the EU. This has driven down prices - and made for cheaper holidays for you and your family.

18. The EU has cut the cost of using your credit or debot card. EU law prevents banks imposing hidden charges. And it abolished fees charged to use credit or debit cards.

19. The EU guarantees banking to the poor. Since 2016 EU citizens have had the right to a current account even if they are homeless. This account allows them to carry out basic tasks such as making transfers or withdrawing cash from ATMs. It reduces the so-called poverty premium.

20. The EU has reduced the price of medicines. Judgments by the European Court of Justice have opened up the European pharmaceuticals market. More competition - and the ability to buy cross-border - means lower prices.

[Right. That's enough for now. But more, many more, to follow.]

21. The EU helps us eat more healthily. The EU requires manufacturers to tell us amounts of fats, sugars, salts in our food. And it regulates the use of health claims - for example 'low fat'.

22. The EU regulates the maintenance of high food standards. The evidence is that 1 in 6 in the US get food poisoning each year but only 1 in 66 in the UK (see acss.food.gov.uk/sites/default/… and cdc.gov/foodborneburde…).

23. The EU protects high quality regional food. EU law protects producers of the Cornish Pasty, the Cumberland Sausage, and Bramley apples. It prevents those producers from being undercut by cheap imitations.

24. The EU delivers cleaners beaches. It maintains high standards for ships calling into EU ports. It forces Members States to monitor and assess bathing water for (faecal) bacteria. And to inform the public about water quality and beach management.

25. The EU also delivers better quality drinking water. It reduces the phosphorous in detergents that kills rivers and lakes. And the drinking water directive sets enforceable minimum standards to ensure that water intended for human consumption is wholesome and clean.

26. The EU also protects your health with clean air laws sitting maximum limits for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and lead. Using these standards, campaigner have successfully and repeatedly sued the UK for their breach.

27. The EU helps us recycle. We have a right to return keyboards, DVD players and washing machines to shops. A 2006 EU directive requires electrical and electronic waste to be disposed of properly or recycled.

28. The EU gives you the right to live and work in any member state. You can retire to Spain and enjoy the climate. You can set up a business in another country. You can study in Italy. Every state must treat you the same as its own citizens for tax and social security purposes.

29. The EU gives you health insurance when you travel within Europe. If you need to see a doctor in another member state you can do so on the same terms as residents of the country you are visiting, at a reduced rate or even free of charge.

30. If you are driving in the EU you needn't worry about national borders. Your driving licence will be recognised by all Member States. And if you lose it, all Member States will issue a replacement.

31. Within the so-called Shengen area, borders barely exist. Travelling within Schengen, you don't need to show your passport and there are no checks. Millions of us are thus able to live in one country and travel to another for work, every day.

32. The EU also enables us to study abroad. The Erasmus programme offers students, apprentices, teachers, youth workers and others the chance to experience life in a different country - with the help of a subsidy. Millions of us have taken advantage.

33. The European Solidarity Corps gives those between 18 and 30 the chance to help others across Europe. You get travel, lodging and subsistence as well as insurance coverage for the duration of the activity. You will receive relevant training. Apply here europa.eu/youth/solidari…

34. The EU caused all 28 Member State to sign up to the Youth Guarantee to ensure all young people under the age of 25 years receive within four months of an offer of employment, continued education, apprenticeship or a traineeship. More here ec.europa.eu/social/main.js…

[More, much more, to follow.]