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Euro Driving Licences

MEPs had their eyes firmly on the road at this month’s Strasbourg plenary session, when they backed proposals for new Europe-wide driving licences.  Gary Titley, who helped steer the measures through the parliament’s Transport Committee, explained that the new plastic credit card style licences would be similar to ones already used here in the UK.  They would be phased in over a 20 year period, eventually replacing the old paper licences that, according to Gary, had been “driving motorists to distraction for years”.

 “At present there are 110 different driving licences across Europe,” said Gary.  “This is tantamount to giving forgers and fraudsters an open invitation to do their worst.  By eventually adopting a common licence throughout the EU, we shall be aiding the police in their battle against international criminal gangs.  The new measures will also boost road safety by helping the police tackle ‘driver tourism’ head on.  This is where people are banned from driving in one country but then take out a licence in another.

“Contrary to some press reports, what the new rules won’t do, though, is affect existing driving rights,” Gary added.  “There will be no new medical checks for older drivers.  And motorists who tow caravans will not need to get special licences.  Taking these proposals as a whole, I firmly believe we have come up with some very sensible and practical solutions to real problems that will bring long-term benefits to millions of Britons and our fellow European citizens”.                     

Preparations for UK Presidency

 Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt went to Strasbourg this month to brief MEPs on preparations for the UK Presidency of the EU that begins on 1^st July.  In his role as Labour Leader in Europe, Gary took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of getting individuals and groups actively involved during Britain’s six-month term of office.  He also said we should use the Presidency to explain to people why Europe is so important to us. 

 Only 48 hours later, Patricia Hewitt echoed Gary’s sentiments at the Mansion House in London.  In a powerful speech to business leaders, she left her audience in no doubt about all the many benefits Britain gains from our EU membership.  A transcript of the address is available online at www.dti.gov.uk/ministers/speeches/hewitt230205.html.

 Yushchenko visits the European Parliament

 Fresh from victory in Ukraine’s Presidential Election re-run at the turn of the year, the Leader of the “Orange Revolution”, Victor Yushchenko, received a very warm welcome from MEPs, when he addressed them in Strasbourg.  In his speech, President Yushchenko made it absolutely clear that, as far as the new government was concerned, Ukraine’s future lay firmly with Europe.

 Many commentators on the disputed elections – including some ‘neo-cons’ in Washington closely associated with President Bush – have concluded that things may not have turned out as they did in Ukraine, had it not been for the efforts of the EU.   They regarded the use of “soft power” – diplomacy, international pressure and negotiations - as a key factor in persuading Russia to retreat from any attempt to directly interfere in the elections.

 Renzo Imbeni

 During Strasbourg week, Socialist MEPs received the very sad news that a good Italian Socialist friend and colleague, Renzo Imbeni, had passed away.  Paying tribute to him, Gary said that Renzo had worked tirelessly to promote democratic values through his work in the Foreign Affairs Committee and as the former Mayor of the City of Bologna.  “Renzo’s funeral spoke volumes about how highly he was regarded.  So many people wanted to pay their respects, that they had to delay the burial to enable his body to lie in state for longer than originally planned,” Gary said.

 Portuguese Elections and Spanish Referendum

 British Labour MEPs met with their Portuguese counterparts to discuss the Socialist Party’s recent General Election victory.  The Portuguese were keen to learn what it was like to be in government.  “They were particularly interested to find out about flagship Labour programs like SureStart, working families’ tax credits and the New Deal.  Labour MEPs also congratulated Spanish colleagues on the outcome of the Spanish referendum on the European Constitution.  The Spanish people voted overwhelmingly (77%) in favour.  Attention now turns to France and the Netherlands, which are the next EU member countries to hold referenda on the Constitution.

 Croatia

 Next month, Gary Titley will be going to Croatia as part of the European Parliament‘s delegation.  One of the main items on the agenda will be Croatia’s application for EU membership, first tabled in October 2003.  In preparation for the visit, Gary held talks with the country’s Ambassador to the EU.  He bluntly told her that Croatia could not be allowed to start accession negotiations next month, if fugitive war criminal, General Gotovina, remained at large. “To do so, would seriously undermine the International Community’s efforts to persuade Serbia and Bosnia to arrest high-profile war criminals,” Gary warned.

 And Finally…

 While MEPs were meeting in Strasbourg, President George Bush was singing the praises of “a strong Europe” during a visit to Brussels – and bringing traffic in the Belgian Capital to a stand still into the bargain.  But spare a thought for the UK Trade and Industry Secretary, who was suffering travel problems of her own.  Patricia Hewitt’s flight from London to Strasbourg was at first delayed, then cancelled and finally rescheduled for the next morning, due to inclement weather.

 Unfortunately the Grumpy Old Men from UKIP were booked on the same flight!  After all her travel woes, Patricia Hewitt only half in jest promised a new priority for the UK Presidency - to scrap Strasbourg plenary sessions.  One of the Tory MEPs remarked, in not so many words, that to achieve this, the Secretary of State might have to employ all of her “charms” to persuade President Chirac to agree.           

Gary Titley MEP

February 2005