My MEP Robert Sturdy has had the following letter published in tonight’s Cambridge News about the role of Conservatives in their new European group.

Some people will be aware that David Cameron has withdrawn the Conservatives from the EPP-ED and led the formation of a new group, the European Conservatives and Reformists, a move that has generated significant misinformation in the press.

Contrary to many reports I am proud to say that we will not be sitting with extremists, but instead we have joined with many mainstream parties from other member states who share our view that the EU should not continue down the path towards ever greater federal union but rather should respect the right of sovereign nations and their citizens. The EU must become more open, democratic and accountable, this is the mandate upon which I was elected, and this is the platform which I shall follow.

Of course, the Conservatives will carry on maintaining good ties with our former colleagues, continuing to work together in areas of mutual interest, but the new group will allow me to concentrate on our region’s economic recovery, improving growth and competitiveness, reducing red tape and making sure that the EU represents value for money for Cambridgeshire’s tax payers.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who journeyed to the polls to vote on the 4th of June. It has always been a great honour to serve the people of Cambridgeshire and I was delighted to be lucky enough to be asked to return to Brussels and Strasbourg by the electorate of the Eastern Region. I look forward to working  for  the people of Cambridgeshire for whom I was directly elected under the old constituency system in 1994 and for whom I shall continue to directly represent for the next five years.