Lib Dems Launch Euro Campaign On Track Record Of Reform Of The EU (South East Region Liberal Democrats)

South East Region Liberal Democrats <info@southeastlibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems Launch Euro Campaign On Track Record Of Reform Of The EU

April 26, 2004 1:36 PM

South East MEP Chris Huhne launched the Liberal Democrats campaign for the European elections on 10th June with the claim that only the Liberal Democrat MEPs could be trusted to change the European Union for the better. 'Liberal Democrat MEPs make a difference, and Tory and Labour MEPs just don't' he said.

In a keynote speech at the Liberal Democrats regional conference in Guildford, Mr Huhne said that the region's Tory MEPs had been responsible for the worst defeat of reforming legislation of the entire parliament from 1999 to 2004 when Daniel Hannan MEP and Nirj Deva MEP failed to turn up to vote on a three line whip.

'The local Tory MEPs are all mouth when it comes to defending British interests, but on crucial votes they do not turn up' said Mr Huhne. 'Only Liberal Democrats can be trusted to change Europe because we want it to work well'.

Nor could Labour MEPs be trusted since they often took an 'Old Labour' line which set its face against economic reform. For example, they backed a Commission attempt to force all British workers to limit working hours to 48 hours a week even if employee and employer voluntarily agreed. They also voted down liberalisation of EU ports that would have saved UK traders millions of pounds a year.

Mr Huhne said that the Liberal Democrats would campaign on their record of action, and promise more. 'We are the most effective reformers because we want europe to work. We oppose EU action unless there are clear advantages, because we believe in local decision-making. We are the most realistic environmentalists, because we back ambitious EU law on air and water pollution'. (Full speech available on www.chrishuhnemep.org)