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Strasbourg Round-Up

Northern Ireland

Recent events in Northern Ireland – the raid on the Northern Bank, the murder of Robert McCartney, the intimidation of witnesses, the evidence of money laundering – have created waves through the European Union.  Urging MEPs in Strasbourg to voice their opposition to this upsurge in criminality, Labour’s Leader in Europe Gary Titley said: “The European Parliament has a very proud record of supporting the peace process in Northern Ireland.

“It is the view of both the Irish and UK governments that the only remaining obstacle to peace is the criminality and paramilitary activity of the IRA.  Extensive criminality has now become part and parcel of the Northern Ireland scene.  I hope this parliament will send a message of support to both governments and tell all parties that criminality has no place whatsoever in political action.  Criminality imprisons people, it does not liberate them,” he added.

Foreign Secretary visits Strasbourg

The Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, flew to Strasbourg this month as part of the ongoing preparations for the UK Presidency of the EU, which begins in just over 3 months time on 1^st July.  His whistle-stop visit included meetings with key figures in the European Parliament and an hour-long briefing session with Labour MEPs.  Later, at a private meeting, Gary stressed to Jack Straw how important it was for the government to use the Presidency to explain to people why Europe is so important to Britain.

The Lisbon Strategy

Europe has now reached the halfway stage of an ambitious, decade-long strategy to make its economy the most innovative, knowledge based and competitive in the world.  Speaking during a debate to review progress on the ‘Lisbon Strategy’, Gary said:  “The core of the Lisbon Strategy has to be jobs.  For that, we need active labour market policies to ensure that work is rewarded, the unemployed are helped to get work and that training and retraining are central to everything we do.”

Later in his speech, he warned that the strategy would only provide real results for real people in their everyday lives, if EU member states were prepared to deliver on their promises.  That, he said, put the onus firmly on the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, to persuade member states to deliver.  “Will Mr Barroso be man or mouse in this regard,” Gary asked. 

Working Time Revisited

 The UK minister with responsibility for the Working Time Directive was in Strasbourg this month.  Gerry Sutcliffe had a very busy round of meetings, including sessions at the beginning and at the end of the two day visit with Gary Titley.  The minister’s presence could not have been more timely.  The European Parliament will shortly be revisiting the Working Time Directive.  For their part, Labour MEPs will be looking to strike a balance between health and safety at work, flexibility in managing working time and the work-life balance.

 UK-German Co-operation

 British Labour MEPs met with their German counterparts for a special meeting this month.  Gary Titley shared the platform with Bernhard Rapkay, his SPD opposite number, who hails from North Rhine-Westphalia.  The meeting covered a great many topics, including the advantages and challenges within the European Parliament of your national party being in government and the dramatic differences in the unemployment figures between the two countries.  There was also lively discussion about the forthcoming elections in the UK and Germany and their importance for the future of centre-left-politics in Europe.

 Speaking after the meeting, Gary said he was impressed by the spirit of co-operation.  “Due to the European Parliament’s diverse nature, there is no automatic majority position for any one political party.  By understanding one another’s concerns better, we stand more chance of reaching common solutions to common problems,” he added.

 Margaret McClements

 At the start of Strasbourg week, we received the very sad news that a dear colleague of ours, Margaret McClements, had died suddenly in her sleep.  Margaret was responsible for keeping our Euro Office in Radcliffe spick and span from when it first opened in 1990 right through to her retirement in Autumn 2001.  A Bolton Wanderers fan through and through, she was a real character with an infectious personality that everyone who met her couldn’t help but warm to.  She will be very sorely missed.

 And Finally…

 Strasbourg strikes (again!).  Just like last month, the tiresome trek to Strasbourg was blighted once again by delays, cancellations and strikes.  General strikes in France and walkouts by air traffic controllers in Belgium played havoc with rail and air timetables.  Gerry Sutcliffe’s flight suffered delays too but, unlike Patricia Hewitt’s memorable experience trying to get to the last plenary session, he at least didn’t have to wait with the Grumpy Old Men from UKIP. 

 Some more optimistic souls are now openly speculating that if UK government ministers are delayed every time they’re due to travel Strasbourg, it won’t be long before Strasbourg sessions are scrapped altogether.  If only…..!

                                                                                                   Gary Titley MEP

March 2005