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Strasbourg Round-Up Nov 06

Titley set for historic milestone

This month in Strasbourg, Labour MEPs re-elected Gary Titley unopposed as their leader for the remainder of the current parliamentary term, which lasts until June 2009. And eighteen months into his new mandate, Gary is set to make history by overhauling the late Barbara Castle to become the party’s longest serving leader ever in the European Parliament. She held the position for 6 years from 1979 to 1985.

Speaking after his colleagues had given him a big vote of confidence, Gary said: “To be about to overtake the record set by one of the most formidable and legendary figures in Labour history is a very humbling thought indeed. It has been an honour to lead Labour in Europe over the last four and a half years. It has been a busy time and we have seen a vast range of issues pass through the parliament. Throughout, Labour’s voice has remained strong as we have fought for the best interests of the British people on the issues that affect them in their daily lives.”

Services law slashes red tape

The second and final stage of a law which will slash red tape and create up to half a million new jobs passed through the European Parliament this month. Hairdressers, plumbers and thousands of other service providers will now be able to establish themselves anywhere in the EU, following the vote on the controversial Services Directive.

The service industry plays a very important role in the EU, accounting for over 70% of the EU’s GDP. Yet it only represents 20% of trade between EU member states. Many countries currently have weird and wonderful laws which foreign companies must comply with if they want to do business there. For example, if a British painter or decorator wants to set up business in Belgium they have to buy a Belgian registered van to do their work. Thanks to the new law, artificial barriers like these will be knocked down, allowing companies to operate freely throughout the EU.

Speaking after the vote, Gary said: "It’s win win for the UK from this new legislation. Consumers will get more choice and better value for money, while businesses will gain access to EU markets, without having to contend with 25 different sets of rules and regulations. We have brokered the best deal possible for the UK. It lets us take our business across the Channel, but at the same time protects terms and condition for workers here in the UK.”

EU accounts are in good shape
A common myth, peddled ad nauseam by anti-Europeans, is that the EU accounts are riddled with fraud and mismanagement. It was therefore like a breath of fresh air this month when as prestigious a body as the UK's House of Lords waded into the debate and set the record straight.
Lord Radice, chairman of the Lords’ European Union Committee, criticised press coverage that claimed there was a "significant culture of corruption" in Europe's institutions. “Our investigation has uncovered no evidence to support this suggestion," he said. The peers also noted reforms to the accounting system the European Commission had introduced over recent years that had made it "one of the leaders in public accounting terms."
Every year, the European Court of Auditors goes through EU accounts with a fine tooth comb to check for financial irregularities. For the past 12 years the Court has been unable to sign the books off, not due to fraud but because its highly fastidious auditing methods have been unable to account for every last penny spent in each of the 25 EU member countries. This led the head of the UK National Audit Office, Sir John Bourn, to say he would be unable to give a positive statement of assurance on spending of UK public money, if the UK operated a similar system.
Traditionally, the Commission awards money to each member state, which is then used to finance projects such as improving transport links or urban regeneration. It is the wide-ranging diversity of such projects, which makes it difficult to find out exactly where every penny goes.
Speaking after the Court presented its annual audit, Gary said: "Once again we see that the EU institutions have nothing to hide. On the whole, EU accounts are in good shape and it’s especially pleasing that the UK can account for every single penny spent. But we need to start naming and shaming those countries that are not up to scratch."

Toxic Tories defy Cameron

Only last month at the Conservative Party conference David Cameron promised that Tory MEPs would adopt a more environmentally friendly stance in Europe. Yet, barely one month on and that promise has already been broken. At this month’s Strasbourg plenary, Conservative MEPs voted in favour of the continued use of mercury in products throughout Europe.

Mercury is known to be a highly toxic substance and scientists believe it is responsible for thousands of cancer related deaths each year. The European Parliament and EU governments were moving forward with sensible legislation to ban mercury, but only after a 2 year transition period to allow barometer manufacturers to adapt to the new rules. Despite the deal on the table, though, Tory MEPs put forward a last minute amendment which wrecked it.

Speaking after the vote Gary said: "It is outrageous that the Tories have such disregard for the health and welfare of future generations. They have shown yet again that they will say one thing in Britain, while doing something entirely different in Europe. When they take the issue of mercury use so lightly, how can we possibly trust them at all on the environment?"


And Finally...

There was shock horror this month, when mild mannered Green MEP, Vice President of the Parliament and all round nice guy, Gerard Onesta, had his diplomatic immunity from prosecution removed in an overwhelming vote by MEPs. Mr Onesta has already been sentenced in France to a three month suspended sentence for criminal damage. And his crime? Apparently the Frenchman lost his cool at a recent protest in Paris against genetically modified (GM) food - so much so that he dared cut the head off a GM cob of corn. The European Parliament decided it could not legally justify him keeping his immunity but, instead, would support an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, based on political persecution!


Gary Titley MEP
November 2006