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Tight budgets should not be an excuse for UK local government to pull up the drawbridge and reduce international links, says Paul Bevan. Local government's European agenda has, over the past 25 years, been of critical importance to the success of almost all British cities and regions. Councils' proactive engagement with the European institutions has enabled them to influence European policies and programmes and, as a consequence, draw down valuable resources for structural economic change and regeneration, for training, transport and jobs. European work has also promoted learning within authorities – international projects, supported by EU funds, have allowed politicians and their technical experts to see how similar challenges to their own are being met by their peers elsewhere in Europe. Horizons are broadened, perspectives raised, ideas generated. The benefits to both personal and organisational development have been profound. But, in spite of this impressive track record, the political climate for this work has become very difficult. Euroscepticism drew a boost from June's European elections. And as the recession bites and public sector budgets face the tightest squeeze for more than a decade, councils are pre-occupied with managing ever-increasing service pressures. In addition, with a press keen to report in scandalised tones on any politicians' expenses, many elected councillors are understandably nervous about investing energy and resources in European meetings, lobbying and collaboration. The irony is, of course, that now, more than ever before, is the right time for UK councils to look beyond their borders and engage internationally. No ambitious and outward-looking authority – city, county or region – should be turning inwards and lowering their sights. When the context is as tough as it is today, the business of external relations becomes all the more important for global profile, international investment and service innovation. EUROCITIES has since 1986 provided a political platform for Europe's major cities, and is a credible and valued stakeholder for the EU institutions. We ensure that EU policies and funding acknowledge the role of urban local government in delivering Europe's common ambitions – economic competitiveness, social cohesion and environmental protection. With a new parliament now installed, a new commission in the offing, and a new EU budget in preparation, the job of sustaining the voice of local government in Europe is more important than ever. Paul Bevan is secretary general of EUROCITIES

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WHITEHALL

This is not the time to turn inwards

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