THE EU is a modern, 21st century union comprised of equal nations, which is fundamentally different from the UK’s own 18th century constitutional arrangements.

The European Union has been central in protecting the peace in Europe since 1945, and has enshrined our citizens’ rights in international law, protecting workers, consumers and trade unionists from reactionary right-wing governments.

Built on this firm foundation, this social, economic and political union is for the benefit of everyone across Europe.

From dealing with the refugee crisis on our doorstep, to protecting our economies in face of strategic challenges and combatting extremism and terrorism at home and abroad, we can’t address these serious issues by pulling up the drawbridge and turning our backs on the international community.

As the world changes around us we need to build solutions together with our friends and allies, not retreat into a backward era of isolationism.

But rather than looking to international solidarity to address the challenges people face across the globe, the Tory Government’s tactics of rushing to an early EU referendum are leading us to the edge of disaster.

While the latest opinion polls show that most voters in Scotland want to remain in the EU, there’s a worrying swing towards the campaign to leave in the rest of the UK.

We should reject the same negative tactics used by the partnership of Labour and the Tories in Scotland’s referendum. Remember that their campaign lost significant support in the run-up to the vote.

Instead the campaign to remain in the EU needs to be resolutely in favour of something, not just against change of any sort.

A campaign to retain our EU membership based on fear will only entrench voter’s existing views, as opposed to building a stronger base of EU support across the country. This would be a risky strategy.

We must instead take the necessary time to bring the population with us, not force voters to the polls without the opportunity to come to an informed and considered view.

If we act in haste, and hold this poll in June, I fear we may repent at leisure.

We know that the UK Government can’t make a unified case for membership given how deeply divided the Conservative Party and Cabinet are on this crucial issue.

So we must instead have a diverse and open debate on this vital issue, and one which resonates with voters from every part of the UK.

Over and above choosing the right timetable for this referendum, the UK Government must now actively engage with the Parliament in Edinburgh and the Assemblies in Cardiff and Belfast prior to the forthcoming EU summit to make sure that their views are heard in this negotiation process, so that we end up with a deal that we can all wholeheartedly support.

It would be wrong for this Prime Minister to spare no effort to speak individually to each of the heads of state of other EU members about their individual concerns around this government’s demands, without also listening to Nicola Sturgeon, Carwyn Jones or Arlene Foster.

The false negotiations the Prime Minister is undertaking serve no purpose other than to seek to appease his own Eurosceptic backbenchers and placate the Tory membership, rather than fulfilling the real opportunity that membership of the EU provides this country.

Rather than carping round the fringes of Europe, we should be seeking to maximise the benefits that our partnership with other European countries offers.

We need to see action to ensure transparency in our negotiations with the USA around the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, so we can have an agreement that is seen to deliver the reassurances promised by ministers. Farmers and fishermen in Scotland want concrete action now to reform EU policies, so that our agriculture and food industries can directly benefit from strong leadership in this area.

Business here need to see practical measures to remove the barriers to trade in all member states, in particular around the freedom to provide services. Action like this could provide a huge boost to several of Scotland’s key economic sectors at this challenging time.

Taking time to deliver tangible progress on these vital areas would show how the EU can work for Scotland and the UK, rather than perpetuating the current, damaging, negative narrative.

This destructive path may save face for the Prime Minister around the divided Cabinet table and in the eyes of the right-wing media, but it will critically undermine the public’s perception of the EU.

David Cameron should take heed now, before it’s too late.