Last night the Conservatives launched the Movement for European Reform, which will hopefully form the basis of the new European Parliament Grouping for the Centre Right. Shadow Europe Minister Graham Brady was joined by the Leader of the Czech ODS Delegation in the European Parliament Jan Zahradil. The website is HERE. Brady said...
“This is an exciting new project which aims to build a body of opinion in the European Union in support of a flexible, open EU. We are bringing together politicians, opinion-formers, businesspeople and interested citizens from across Europe who share our belief that the European Union needs profound change if it is to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”
Their task is now to attract other centre-right European parties into the Movement. It's not going to be an easy task, as the establishment in the EPP will move heaven and earth to keep them on board.
11 comments:
There is a chance here to build an opposition party in the European Parliament that can be sceptic but not septic. It would be of great benefit to Europe as a whole to have a grouping that was constructively critical and opposed to the federalist tendency.
Sounds a bit too like the TRG to me.
Good idea. The tories need to show that europe needs reforming, not bombing.
Why not start with scrapping the travelling circus that is the euro-parliament?
It costs European taxpayers approximately 200 million euros a year to move the Parliament between Brussels/Belgium and Strasbourg/France. To sign a petition to stop this, click here.
Usual guff: "Exciting", "new group", etc etc.
Likely impact of such a group: ZILCH.
Time to face the music and jump ship. The EU by definition does not have the UK's best interests at heart, nor should we blame the EU for that, it's logical.
Better Off Out, chaps.
Iain,
Aren't the Czech right in turmoil, having lost their parliamentary majority. They're paralysed, as is, probably, the "Movement for European Reform."
I've said before and I'll say it again, NUKE EUROPE!
How does this differ from all the other similar centre-right groupings that have existed unofficially in the European Parliament for years? And Anonymous, I would be grateful for an indication of how that reform will be achieved: what methods and what institutions will be used?
Sorry, me again. I have re-read Anonymous's comment. Do you know that the double European Parliament is written into the treaty and the only way to change that is by an Inter-Governmental Conference with the unanimous agreement of all members, who then have to pass the new treaty in their own countries? You see? That reform business is quite difficult.
Tyger - The ODS are the largest political party in the Czech Republic by a decent margin. Hardly turmoil me thinks. The ODS should help us add the SDKU in Slovakia quite easily and Klaus (Czech Pres) is also forming alliances with Hungary and Poland. Obviously, we should get the Unionists on board and we probably need a Western player such as the Swedes, Portuguese or Italians. Not easy, but worth striving for.
Hi Valerie, I am a libdem friendly Tory. I don't think you'll find any Praguelabs. They couldn't stand the ridicule. I can't remember meeting a Labour supporter in Prague. I know people who have voted Labour and who claim to hate all parties, but I can't recall anyone brave or stupid enough to support Labour. One of the great things about this city. If you're interested in political events, contact me on my site.
Funny isn't it that we didn't hear a word about the appalling white elephant of Strasbourg building under Thatcher, nor indeed Major who chaired the summit in Edinburgh where the location was confirmed?
Bit late in the day, but everyone loves a convert....
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