THIS month saw Parliament get going on a historic process as members of the House of Commons began debating the EU Referendum Bill.

This will give the British people a say on our future in the EU for the first time in a generation – it was 40 years ago when we last had a say on our relationship with Europe in our first ever national Referendum on whether we should join the Common Market.

I was only eleven and the debate didn’t set the playground alight but I do vaguely remember my parents discussing the issue – and of course The vote was a resounding win for the pro-membership campaigners with two-thirds voting Yes.

Since then, we have not been asked for our views on the various treaty changes and I am proud that we finally have a Conservative government prepared to ask the British people for their opinion on this critical economic and political relationship as for too long, much of the debate about Europe has taken place at an emotional level rather than being based on the facts.

It is really important that we have an informed debate and even more importantly, a vote, and we will have an In/Out Referendum on that basis by the end of 2017 at the latest.

Before that vote, a huge amount of effort is going in to the renegotiation of Britain’s relationship with Europe with the priority being to reform the European Union to make it more competitive, and to address the concerns of the British people about our membership – especially on keeping our border controls and cracking down on benefit tourism, taking back more control of justice and home affairs and securing more trade but not at the expense of an ‘ever closer union’.

On a personal note, I am also always keen to do anything to support local and national charities and so this month I found myself pulling a rope with all my might in the annual Parliamentary Tug of War to support Macmillan.

Our team of parliamentary ladies lost, but much more successful were a winning team from 4th Regiment, Royal Artillery and I was delighted to hear that they were moving to Larkhill the following day. I promised to mention them in my column so a warm welcome to the Devizes Constituency for the gentlemen from the winning “Mighty Military team”.

My next advice surgery will be in Durrington on Friday. To book an appointment contact my Devizes Office on 01380 729358 or email claire.perry.mp@parliament.uk