News from
David Sumberg MEP
Autumn
2001
Conservative Member of the European Parliament for the North West of England
The
General Election was obviously a disappointment for all of us. Everyone worked
tremendously hard, particularly our excellent parliamentary candidates.
I met them, and many of you, during the election when I went campaigning
throughout the region, visiting many constituencies from Carlisle to Congleton
and Crosby to Clitheroe.
My sincere thanks to everyone who made me so welcome during the campaign
and congratulations to all the county council candidates who cheered us up with
their successes, particularly in Cheshire (now back in the Conservative fold)
and Cumbria (with the Tories running the show, albeit with a little Lib Dem
assistance!)
Something
to declare
One
of the most important aspects of Europe is the single market. It’s something
which Margaret Thatcher worked hard to achieve and which benefits Britain.
What a pity Gordon Brown should be allowing Customs and Excise to
restrict the amount of drinks and tobacco people are permitted to bring in to
this country from the continent.
A coach party from Sale in Cheshire faced this problem and I’m taking
up their case both with the Treasury in London and with the European Commission.
This is one instance where European legislation works to the advantage of
the consumer and where European law should be enforced.
Brussels matters
It’s
official. More than half the laws
which govern Britain come from Brussels. A
report from the European Parliament confirms that huge swathes of legislation
covering areas such as transport and the environment are now drawn up by the EU.
If we join the single currency – and I hope we won’t – this will soar even
further. Whatever you think of this
trend, there is an urgent need for better scrutiny of these laws in Westminster
and for increased awareness of what’s happening in Brussels and Strasbourg.
Whatever
you think of this trend, there is an urgent need for better scrutiny of these
laws in Westminster and for increased awareness of what’s happening in
Brussels and Strasbourg.
Budget
madness
The
big event in the current session of the European Parliament is the draft budget
for Europe prepared by the European Commission. The Parliament debates and amends this very detailed document
and one piece of madness I shall certainly be opposing will be the proposed £1.3
billion subsidy to tobacco growers whilst the school milk subsidies are to be
slashed by £120 million. The
European Commission is concerned that people in Europe don’t take it
seriously. Is it any wonder when it
produces proposals like this?
Too
close to call
Normally,
voting periods in the European Parliament are rather dull affairs consisting of
several hours of simply pressing a button to indicate your view on another
euro-directive. But in Strasbourg
in July, there was much excitement when there was a rare dead heat on the
proposed Takeover directive – 273 votes for and against, and a tied vote means
that the legislation does not pass. And
although the issue sounds rather dull and legalistic, the tie scuppered
proposals which would have benefited Britain and opened up restricted European
markets. Sadly, the protectionists
in the Parliament, mainly from Germany, prevented a much overdue reform and many
years of hard work were lost.
Around
and about
Apart
from
canvassing during the General Election, I have visited the engineering firm
Carter Bros. of Rochdale, spoken at the Chester Women’s Conservative Lunch and
at the Conservative Clubs National AGM in Blackpool. In addition, I have toured
the world-renowned Johnathan Ball Tim Parry Centre at Warrington, a most moving
and interesting experience. Meetings in Brussels and Strasbourg have included the
North West Region of the CBI, National Farmers’ Union, the head of the shortly
to be opened Cheshire Brussels office, our own North West Women Conservatives
and the Patrons Club from Lancaster and Wyre.
Do keep coming over and please let me know
if you would like to arrange a visit to Brussels or Strasbourg.
Watch
this space
I’ve
bowed to the inevitable. I am
joining the World Wide Web. Yes,
I’m shortly going to have my own website.
I’ve always been concerned that my newsletter can’t get to all party
members in the Region so I hope this will be useful and interesting: details to
follow in the next newsletter.