Mark Garnier MP has welcomed Prime Minister David Cameron's ideas for a new relationship between Britain and Europe.
Mr Garnier, who was involved in the Fresh Start Project, said: ''I am pleased to see David Cameron start a debate on the terms of our membership in the EU. I whole-heartedly support his demand for a greater role of national parliaments, as well as to ensure that new economic regulations are fair with those member states that remain outside the eurozone.
''Given the support from Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as from many business leaders, I am inclined to believe that Cameron's plan to renegotiate our terms of membership is realistic, and that Britain will not have to stand alone.
''Importantly, I welcome David Cameron's pledge for a referendum in 2017. I believe that giving the British people a say on European matters, once our new position has been settled, is the most reasonable approach we could take, and one that perfectly balances different views from across the political spectrum.''
Mark Garnier, Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest, participated in the Fresh Start Project - a Conservative back-benchers initiative to redefine Britain's relationship with Europe. Their Manifesto for Change, which covered many of the issues subsequently mentioned in Prime Minister's speech, was released last week and is available on the Fresh Start website.