An Alliance for Freedom
I am delighted that we have met in these pleasant surroundings to set up the European Democratic Union.
I join with others in thanking Mr Taus and all our Austrian friends for their hospitality and for all the hard work which they have done to prepare this meeting. Our action today is the first and vital step towards an effective working alliance between Centre and Centre Right Parties in Europe.
Three years ago when I became Leader of the Conservative Party, this was one of the tasks which I saw as essential.
Mr Heath and the Conservative Government in which I served had taken Britain into Europe. The next step was to bring the Conservative Party into alliance with those other Parties in Europe which share our belief in personal freedom.
It has been a long road and there have been obstacles in the way. This always happens when you start a new enterprise, and we have not been discouraged.
For we knew from the outset that the Conservative and Christian Democrat Parties in Europe found their origins in the same belief.
We all believe that moral values based on a religious foundation are more important than matters of state.
Indeed democracy can only be preserved through a commitment to moral values which recognise the unique significance and dignity of the individual. [end p1]
Moreover we all recognise that the individual can only achieve his full dignity and make the best use of his talents in a society based on freedom under the law,—a law which is fearlessly and impartially administered and binds alike those who govern and those who are governed.
Finally, we believe that this framework of freedom under the law must be supported by a political system in which parties freely argue their viewpoint, offering the people a real unfettered choice.
The British Conservative Party, like all our friends here, reject the Marxist creed that class divisions are the inevitable basis of all political activity.
We prove that rejection by our existence and by our success. We draw support from the British people as a whole.
A third of British trade unionists regularly vote for us, and this proportion is increasing as we intensify our effort inside the Trade Union movement.
More and more trade unionists recognise that trade unionism can only flourish in a free society.
Our economic policies, like those of all represented here, stress the irreplaceable role of the individual and the contribution of free enterprise in the creation of prosperity.
At the same time our social policies show practical concern for the weak and the unfortunate as well as for the strong and successful.
We are brought together here by a common threat—the threat which Marxism brings against freedom. This threat is not confined to the European Community, and that is why our alliance ranges beyond the frontiers of the Community.
The EDU will provide a framework within which we can discuss with those concerned the necessary co-operation in the first round of direct elections to the European Parliament in June next year.
But it will also provide a forum within which we can discuss the problems which affect us all whether we are inside or outside the Community. [end p2]
The threat of Marxism takes different forms at different times and in different places. The tactical situation varies from country to country, and each Party will be the best judge of how to meet the particular challenge which it faces.
We must not try to dictate political tactics to each other, but at the same time we must recognise that Marxism thrives on the disunity of those who stand for freedom. That is why we must bring this disunity to an end.
But it is not enough to take a negative stand.
In our declaration today we stress the positive beliefs which we share.
We must now follow up this declaration with proposals which will help us to put these beliefs into practice.
I hope that other like-minded parties who are not yet ready to join us will soon do so as they see our purpose and plans more closely.
The British Conservative Party is, and will remain, strongly patriotic. We have great faith in the future of our country, but see nothing inconsistent between that feeling and becoming a party of Europe. It is precisely because we want to see Britain making a lively and energetic contribution in the world, as befits her character, that we are working for the success of our European partnership.
We shall play an enthusiastic part in the new European Democratic Union, and do our best to ensure for it an enterprising and successful future.
The ideas for which we stand are winners.
They will win because they are firmly rooted in the traditions of Europe, and in the hearts of people.