Manchester's Labour MP and former leader of the council Graham Stringer made his views on Europe very plain this morning on Radio 4's Today programme.
The member of Blackley and Broughton told the programme that he was against Ed Miliband's stance that Labour MP's should vote with the government against the amendment on a European referendum.
He made clear his views about having a referendum saying that as all three party's had at some time put the issue in their manifestos,it was rather stupid that the country shouldn't be allowed to vote.
However in comments which will surely upset his leader Ed Miliband,he said that the European union as one of the factors in causing economic instability around the world and that now was the right time to discuss whether we should be part of it.
If Britain left he added it means that we would not have to find money to subsidise it any longer.
The former Labour whip said that the issue of Europe had been put to sleep by his party and there was no longer the consensus for debate that there is in the Tory party.
However he added that it was changing and there was a duty for the opposition to oppose the direction that the government was taking us in over Europe.
The government has announced that there will be a debate on the issue in the Commons on Monday as David Cameron finds himslef under increasing pressure from the right of his party to acceed to a referendum
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