1.0European Movement UKhttps://euromove.blogactiv.euEuropean Movement UKhttps://euromove.blogactiv.eu/author/euromove/<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left"> <div>by Catherine Bearder MEP</div> <div></div> <div>There is a single word which has legions of Euro-sceptics flinging down their newspapers in disgust.</div> <div>The word is 'now'. NOW Brussels wants tightrope walkers to wear hardhats, NOW meddling bureaucrats want to ban the Great British tea room.</div> <div>It is a word accompanied with a fist pumped in anger upon the breakfast <span style="line-height: 19px">table: "What are they are telling us to do NOW?!?!"</span></div> <div><span style="line-height: 19px"> </span><span style="line-height: 19px">Tales cooked up with a fantastical twist on reality have consistently wound up the British public. For the British press, the Euromyth is king to a killer headline.</span></div> <div>The invented tales - often conjured up with imaginative and theatrical aplomb - have the ability to terrify and, frankly, amuse the public.</div> <div>Many Brits view the European Union with unnecessary doses of fear and scepticism, while other member states chortle at the UK's paranoia.</div> <div>In reality, the chunky catalogue of Euromyths has succeeded in spreading one <span style="line-height: 19px">thing: confusion.</span></div> <div>This cannot be good for those in favour of Britain's relationship with Europe, nor can it benefit the sceptics who want bags packed and return Eurostar tickets booked ASAP.</div> <div>We are swamped with erroneous tales of alleged devious directives (name one?), and barmy plans (which exactly?) from Brussels.</div> <div>Did we ever get busts of Jacques Delors on motorway bridges as one British tabloid suggested was imminent?</div> <div>Was Britain forced to liquefy corpses and flush down the drain, as - apparently - the EU was proposing?</div> <div>You can answer for yourselves.</div> <div>However, David Cameron's referendum pledge means it's time to talk FACTS.</div> <div>Otherwise, how can the British public be expected to make an informed decision? I'm sure UKIP would agree, but perhaps they are not keen for a debate without fabrication?</div> <div>Rebutting falsehoods about the European Union has become a full-time job.</div> <div>My Euromyth Buster campaign attempts to right some wrongs at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EuromythBuster" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/EuromythBuster</a><span style="line-height: 19px"> , but it's hard work.</span></div> <div>You could question how Britain's relationship with Europe has flourished with such persistent attempts to undermine it?</div> <div>Just open a regional newspaper, there undoubtedly will be a letter inside advocating Brexit and it will contain an inaccuracy or assumption on the EU.</div> <div>Every day, drip-drip, the falsehoods wedge themselves into the public sub-conscience until they are taken as truth.</div> <div>But we mustn't shrug and ignore it any more. When a story screams 'EU shambles' or the 'NOW' word barks back at you, question it.</div> <div>Join my Euromyth Buster campaign and the work the <a href="http://www.euromove.org.uk/" target="_blank">European Movement</a> does locally and nationally to refute these Euromyths and put forward the truth about the benefits of EU membership.</div> <div>I often stress, I'm not a walking PR machine for the Union, there are many things it could do better.</div> <div>However, our continued place at the table is essential for jobs and growth in the UK, and more people need to be standing up to say so.</div> <div><a name="13d63a3e19017fdd__GoBack"></a>I don't want to see it jeopardised by ranters who cherry pick the truth and replace it with made-up tales.</div> <div>NOW that's something which makes me angry.</div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>  rich