Spotlight: MEPs hold both sides better off with Britain in during EU-UK deal debate

The European Parliament's political group leaders here on Wednesday debated on the latest deal between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) on EU's reforms, and they held that both sides will be better off with Britain in the bloc.

Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People's Party (EPP) group in Parliament, said that a divided Europe is a weak Europe, adding that British Prime Minister David Cameron got a solid outcome in the negotiations for British citizens. If the British people decide to remain in the EU, they will find an ally in the EPP Group for the swift implementation of the agreement.

"We have a common history and culture: without London, Europe would not be the same. No to Brexit!" said Gianni Pittella, leader of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group in the Parliament, during the debate.

Pittella said that the UK has done so much in being a factor for peace and democracy. The best place to fight for these principles is in the EU.

"Europe is not a marriage of convenience. The United Kingdom should stay in the EU as it is part and parcel of Europe," he said.

Pittella urged that people "cannot be held hostage by the UK Conservative Party while Europe is experiencing the worst crises in its history."

British MEP Ashley Fox, who is with European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group in the Parliament, said that he will be supporting the campaign to remain in the EU.

"My reasoning is simple. Britain's economic recovery though good is still fragile and I will not put it at risk by tearing us away from the single market," he said.

"And I also believe that my constituency will be safer and my country more secure if we continue our cooperation with our European partners," said Fox.

Concerning London Mayor Boris Johnson's recent announcement to campaign for Britain to leave the EU in the referendum slated for June 23, Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group in the Parliament, said that "the Mayor of London is acting against the interests of London's citizens and all for personal ambition and not for a better Europe nor a better Britain."

Verhofstadt called on people to use the deal to put Europe back on track and make Europe work again.

However, some British MEPs who tend to make Britain leave the bloc still had a hard-line attitude on this issue.

Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, expressed his support for the vote to leave.

"I have to say the British public will decide; which is our safest option? Is it safe to stay within an organization whose own police boss tells us there are 3,000-5,000 terrorists that have now come into our continent through the migrant crisis or is it safest to take back control of our own borders and our own democracy? After much consideration I have decided to opt to vote for us to leave," he said during the debate.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk on Wednesday also attended the plenary debate at the European Parliament.

Tusk said the EU would respect the decision of British people with regard to the country's decision on whether or not to stay in the EU.

However, he said that "if the majority votes to leave, that is what will happen. It will change Europe forever. And it will be a change for the worse."

"Only the British people can and will decide that. What we could do on our side was to agree a new settlement for Britain within the EU. And we did," said Tusk.

Cameron on Saturday announced that Britain would hold a referendum on June 23 to allow people to come to a decision on Britain's EU membership.

The announcement was made a day after British and EU leaders reached a deal on Britain's "special status" in the bloc. Endit