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No need for a referendum

MEPs returned to work in Strasbourg this month, following the summer recess, amid a growing clamour from eurosceptics in the UK for a referendum on the new EU Reform Treaty. Updating what is effectively the EU’s rule book, is urgently required. The Union has almost doubled in size over recent years and decision-making needs to be made more efficient and effective.

The UK government had previously given a commitment to hold a referendum on the old EU Constitution. However that is now dead in the water after the “no” votes in Holland and France two years ago. “The deal that Tony Blair struck in June ripped the constitutional heart out of what had gone before,” explained Gary Titley. “What is on the table now is a simple update of the rules, with no new powers being transferred to Brussels.”

“Britain has never held a referendum to ratify an international treaty. In fact, when we joined what was then the Common Market over 30 years ago, there was no referendum. It is ludicrous to suggest now that a referendum should be held on a treaty which makes such modest changes as reducing the overall number of EU Commissioners. Britain has a long tradition as a parliamentary democracy. Like all previous international treaties, the proposed EU Reform Treaty should be scrutinised, debated and voted on in the Houses of Parliament,” he added.

Labour supports liquids ban

On the very day that German police uncovered a huge plot to blow up planes over Frankfurt, Labour MEPs reaffirmed their support for EU rules governing liquids that can be carried onto aircraft. Since summer 2006, air passengers have been limited to how much fluid they can take on board planes, after British security services discovered terrorist plans to make bombs from very small amounts of liquid.

Although the Parliament asked EU member state governments to look again at the rules, Labour MPs supported the strict measures which have already helped prevent further outrages. Gary said: “After the failed attempts to attack London and Glasgow this summer and the latest plot in Germany, it is clear that extremists will stop at nothing to kill innocent people. Although EU rules about taking liquids on planes may inconvenience a lot of people, intelligence has shown that the most basic ingredients like toothpaste and sun cream can be used as part of a deadly mixture to make bombs.”


Bonfire of red tape

In a bid to make EU laws clearer and simpler to use, the European Parliament has passed measures, which should slash complicated red tape. The move is designed to drive down prices and get more people into work. Small businesses, which employ only a handful of people, make up the bulk of the UK’s economy. Often they find it difficult to comply with intricate and highly technical EU regulations.

In Strasbourg this month, MEPs urged EU law makers to cut red tape by a quarter. This should be good news for consumers, as businesses and manufacturers will be able to lower their costs.
Speaking during a debate on the proposals, Gary said: “The European Union in itself is a simplification process. By having one set of rules for all member countries instead of 27 individual ones, we have reduced business costs enormously, compared to what life was like before many EU laws were passed.”

Far Right MEP fraudster jailed

It was no surprise to see ex-UK Independence Party MEP Ashley Mote jailed this month for fraud. The MEP for the South East was found guilty of claiming thousands of pounds in housing benefit, despite leading a lavish lifestyle, after his company went bust following Black Wednesday in 1992. The court case exposed Mote as the ultimate hypocrite. A man, who frequently made wild accusations about fraud in the EU, had himself turned out to be a fraudster.

However, as Mote was only sentenced to nine months imprisonment rather than a year or more, he is still able under UK law to retain his seat as an MEP. We are therefore left in the ridiculous situation, where someone who has been found guilty of fraudulently obtaining taxpayers’ money, will continue to receive his taxpayers’ funded salary, while being incarcerated at the expense of the taxpayer.


More money to help victims of natural disasters

Europe took a battering this summer with storms hitting northern countries whilst, around the Mediterranean, extreme heat and drought were the problem. In Greece, the worst forest fires in the country’s history killed scores of people. Meanwhile, in the UK, South Yorkshire and Humberside, alongside parts of the Midlands, suffered horrendous flooding. It was entirely appropriate then that Parliament began the first of its two week-long September plenary sessions with an urgent debate to assess how the EU had dealt with the disasters and what needs to be done to stop them from happening again in the future.

Despite generous offers of assistance from other member states, for many of those most affected by the severe weather, help arrived too late. After the Parliament passed a resolution on the issue, Gary said: “Thousands of people have had their homes ruined by these disasters. The EU has money set aside specifically to help the victims of natural disasters. The British government needs to continue pushing hard to make sure it gets the financial assistance we are entitled to and channels it through to those who need it.” For its part, the British government has now made a formal request for aid to help flood victims.


And finally…

Labour’s North West European Team are holding a special event this month to look at the contribution migrant workers are making to life in the region – and some of the problems they are facing. As well as hearing from migrant workers themselves, a senior Polish politician is flying from Warsaw to address the gathering. The North West Euro Forum takes place at Transport House, Merchants Quay, Salford M50 3SG on Saturday 15th September, from 10.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. (buffet lunch provided). To register, please phone: 0161 906 0801 or e-mail: arlene.mccarthy@easynet.co.uk.

Gary Titley MEP
September 2007