Unity was in the air when over 400 delegates from all Euro-realist groups attended the one day conference

Conference was addressed by distinguished speakers from home and abroad representing every major group opposing Euro-Federalism

These were

• David Lott stressed that the need to work together was now paramount to aid a Referendum and to avoid future vote splitting at the European Elections

• Dr. Richard North expressed his ideas on how the EU was not so much the problem but rather a symptom of a "control culture" which was common amongst all bureaucrats

• Nigel Farage spoke for UKIP and of his 'indigestion' following the election. He explained that UKIP was fired by a new spirit of cooperation and looking forward to contesting the 1999 European Elections with other like-minded parties

• David Soutter of the RP reflected the frustration of many that no leadership had been given since the election. He explained that RP activists wished to continue Sir James' work 'to put the democracy back into politics'

• John Boyd provided the important insight that can be given to the debate by the labour and trade union movement. As secretary of the Campaign Against Euro-Federalism he explained that all political differences must be put aside so that the Single Currency can be addressed successfully with "unity across the political spectrum"

• Mike Woodin of the Green Party had fought the centralizing tendency of European institutions. Amongst the GP's broad front of activities and causes he looked forward to taking part in a "positive, dynamic and diverse 'No' campaign" against the single currency.

• Georges Berthu, a French MEP, from the Group of Independents for a Europe of Nations, of which Sir James Goldsmith was a founder member, gave the endorsement of the I-EDN for the New Alliance's aim of the formation of a single list of all moderate Euro-Realist parties, for the European Elections in 1999. These are to be fought under a system of proportional representation.Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen ex co-Chairman of the Danish June Movement seconded this view. "Unity and Discipline" was his recipe for anti-federalist success.

• Bill Jamieson admitted, in a passionate speech that "the biggest mistake in his life" was his decision to stand against Sir James Goldsmith in the General Election. The anti- Maastricht vote must never again be split and although he was worried that a referendum would not be called without the prospect of the government winning, he appealed for unity in the face of one. He read out a statement from Alan Walters, who was unable to attend, fully endorsing the aims and objectives of the New Alliance.

In Conclusion

David Soutter drew on three common themes:

• Unity in the face of federalism;

• Never again to allow the Euro-Realist vote to be split:

• The fundamental belief of everybody at the conference in Democracy