Timothy Kirkhope: A Tory election triumph will be vital for a fresh future in Europe

First and foremost is the General Election which will determine which party will steer us out of recession. In Yorkshire and the Humber,

around 240,000 people are currently jobless – that's almost one in 10 people of working age. Effective government action is desperately required.

Governments do not themselves create sustainable and productive jobs but they can implement policies that underpin, rather than undermine, the efforts of businesses and entrepreneurs to be successful, generating economic growth and creating jobs. Only with decisive leadership by a Conservative government under David Cameron will we be able to tackle the budget deficit and stimulate a return to growth.

The European Union has a vital part to play in nurturing economic recovery. Europe itself will probably not feature prominently in the forthcoming campaign. The public will rightly expect the mainstream parties to focus on the state of our economy and of public services. But we will also be electing a government to defend our interests and pursue our values in Europe.

We must reject the two extremes of a too frequently polarised debate. It would be a betrayal of our island's history to take an isolationist stance, turning our back on Europe in the hope that it will somehow go away.

Supporters of this fundamentally unpatriotic stance wrap themselves in our flag but would leave us without friends or influence – in Europe and also across the world.

We must also reject those on the other extreme who believe that we must accept everything done by the European Union and accept a centralising agenda. These apologists for Europe harm our country and indeed the Union itself by refusing to take the need for real reform seriously.

So it is right to take a balanced approach: in favour of European co-operation where necessary to achieve common objectives but opposed to the creation of some kind of centralised super state. European must respect the rights of its member states and focus on policies where working together can make a positive difference.

The election of a Conservative government this year is therefore vitally important for our future in Europe. The Union must move on from the years of institutional wrangling that climaxed in the tragically flawed Lisbon Treaty which the Labour government shamelessly imposed upon us without the promised referendum.

Instead, the Union must look ahead to the issues that really matter and where European cooperation can bring added value such as developing a dynamic internal market, leading sensible and balanced action on

climate change, and promoting global free trade.

The election of David Cameron would reinforce the growing number of leaders in Europe who know that it must change direction. And this

movement for reform is gaining momentum.

In the European Parliament, it now has a strong voice in our new political group: the European Conservatives and Reformists of which I have the honour to act as deputy leader.

No single group in the European Parliament has a majority alone so our influence is pivotal. Our support for the re-election of the President of the Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, in the face of a vitriolic attack from the "left" proves this point. He came to our group before any other, took our questions, and offered his support for our reformist agenda. As a result, our endorsement for his re-election was decisive.

With David Cameron in summit meetings of European leaders and Conservative ministers in the Council defending Britain's interests and promoting the values for which our country is renowned, the reform agenda will be able to move further ahead.

This year offers many opportunities for change: a new European Commission is taking office; work will begin on a new economic programme entitled "Europe 2020" – with very important consequences for environment and energy policy; and reforming initiatives are being launched for the European budget, agriculture and fisheries policies.

A major review of European regional aid has begun which will have effects in Yorkshire and the Humber for years to come. We must ensure that we receive the funds to which we have a right in order to develop enterprise, the creation of jobs and aid to small and medium-sized businesses, encourage research, strengthen communities and develop infrastructure across our Region.

A new Conservative government will present a new approach to ensure that our region can benefit to the full, utilising the skill and judgment of those whose experience in these areas is proven.

Much is now at stake. The election will determine whether we will limp into the future with the policies of a tired and broken government or rebound strongly from the recession with confidence under a

Conservative government determined to get Britain and Europe moving again in the right direction.

Timothy Kirkhope is a Conservative MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber. He is deputy chairman of the European Conservatives and Reformists.