+600 Members Worldwide Branches in 40 Countries

While it was business as normal at the European Parliament‘s second Strasbourg plenary session of the month, Gary Titley was taking Labour’s European message to the party’s Annual Conference. And in his keynote address to the gathering in Bournemouth, Gary highlighted the importance of belonging in Europe, regardless of background, race, religion or gender.

“Nobody who lives and works legally in Europe should have to prove they belong,” he warned. “If you want people to be citizens you have to treat them as citizens. Europe is not an exclusive white Christian club. Europe is a union of diverse cultures, traditions and histories.”

Labour MEPs, said Gary, were focussed on practical measures to improve people’s daily lives. He cited measures they had championed this year like controlling potentially harmful chemicals, cutting the cost of mobile phone roaming chargers and banning the trade in cat and dog fur. “Our commitment to you is to continue to work tirelessly to ensure the EU brings practical benefits to our citizens,” he added.

Referring to the new Reform Treaty, he said: “The deal that Tony Blair struck in June ripped the constitutional heart out of the Treaty. It makes absolutely clear that the EU can only do what member states agree to it doing. It shows once and for all that the EU is not a state,”

Burma

The European Parliament added its voice this month to the mounting protests worldwide against the violent repression of anti-government demonstrations in Burma. With fresh news arriving by the hour of the deaths, injuries and arrests of monks and civilian demonstrators, MEPs called for the international community to prepare targeted economic sanctions against the regime, should it fail to respond.

MEPs applauded the courage of the demonstrators and utterly condemned the brutal response by the Burmese authorities. They expressed their horror at the killing of peaceful protestors and called for the release of those arrested and other political prisoners, including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

New deal for rail passengers

Rail passengers will soon enjoy the same rights as airline passengers, thanks to Labour MEPs. Under new regulations due to come into force in 2009, rail companies will become legally liable for luggage and will be required to pay compensation in the event of excessive delays or cancellations.

The proposals were originally only intended to apply to passengers on international journeys. In the UK this would have meant protection was restricted to those using Eurostar services from London to Paris and Brussels. However Labour MEPs, led by Brian Simpson and Robert Evans,
fought hard to include passengers on domestic journeys. The new package of rights also covers people with reduced mobility, including arrangements at unstaffed stations.

Gender inequality in Europe

Whilst much has been done across Europe to eliminate discrimination between men and women, serious problems still remain. This month, the European Parliament discussed how issues such as the gender pay gap, insecurity in the job market and the work-life balance were still affecting millions of women’s daily lives. But employment issues were not the only problem. Many MEPs expressed concern about the multiple discrimination female migrants sometimes face. Part of the answer lay in ensuring that migrants entering the EU were made aware of the values, social conventions and existing laws on gender equality in the host countries.

Mindful that increased globalisation had been linked to increasing levels of poverty amongst women, MEPs called for future trade agreements to be scrutinised in the light of gender issues. They also wanted to see a detailed analysis to be carried out into the impact of pension reforms on women in the EU. In addition, the Parliament pressed for employers big and small to be given detailed information on how best to achieve an effective work-life balance for their staff.

A greener and more competitive Europe

Socialist MEPs spearheaded moves in Strasbourg to make sure that tackling climate change remains one of the EU’s top priorities. They urged the Commission to set up a legislative framework that will more than double the share of energy from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and biomass from its current level of 7% to reach the target of 20% by 2020. As well as reducing carbon emissions, this they said will also create new jobs, promote research and bring about technological innovation.

The Parliament welcomed the European Commission proposal for promoting bio-fuels and other renewable energies for transport by imposing a binding target of 10% by 2020 - but with one proviso. Such fuels must be produced in a sustainable way. MEPs also urged the Commission to come forward with strong measures to promote renewable energy in heating and cooling systems with the aim of doubling its share by 2020.

Ensuring the safety of imported toys

Following a lot of press coverage over the summer about imported toys from China not meeting European health and safety standards, Labour MEPs were at the forefront of moves in Strasbourg to ensure that children’s toys and other products are safe to sell and use. North West MEP and chair of the consumer protection committee, Arlene McCarthy, called on the European Commission to crackdown on dangerous imports, including the threat of an embargo on goods from China to force the country to meet EU safety standards.

And finally…

Away from the debating chamber, MEPs have been working hard to choose a shortlist for the Sakharov human rights prize. It’s a tough job, since candidates include Ana Politkovskaya who opposed the Chechen conflict and was murdered in 2006; Malalai Joya, Afghan MP and defender of women’s rights in Afghanistan; Salih Mahmoud Osman, Sudanese human rights attorney; Zeng Jinyan and Hu Jia, Chinese human rights defenders and Ecumencial Patriarch Bartholomew, who has worked to defend freedom of religion in Turkey. The winner will be chosen on 25th October.

Gary Titley MEP
September 2007