MEP &matters Transport Priorities BACKED in Coventry & Warwickshire recently attended a conference arranged by the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership to discuss the area’s transport needs and priorities for the twenty first century. Philip believes that good transport links are crucial for economic success and job creation in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Malcolm inspects 3M products Sticking to new Philip recently met with Mark Pawsey MP investment in & Marcus Jones MP Atherstone Access to the European Single Market and a University welcoming business climate have made the UK high Britain’s relationship with Europe 40 years after we joined on the list for inward investment, especially for US the Common Market and the proposed referendum on our companies. recently visited the membership were amongst the topics discussed with students at US company 3M’s factory in Atherstone, one of nine Warwick University by Anthea McIntyre during a recent visit. across the UK. Anthea said: “Despite growing from 9 to “For these and many 27 members the institutions of the EU have other reasons, it is right 3M in Atherstone specialises in adhesives and abrasives used in not changed and, rather than completing that we re-negotiate our domestic and industrial applications. Malcolm saw their innovation the single market, the EU has sought to relationship with Europe centre, which is a ‘centre of excellence’ specialising in abrasive discs regulate in areas that should be the exclusive and put a new treaty to used in car body shops and other applications. responsibility of national parliaments. a referendum.”

Malcolm was told about the importance of having one set of EU rules and standards especially as 3M invests heavily in hundreds of new or updated products every year.

“I was really impressed with the strong teamwork in the factory and their commitment to new ideas,” he says. “We must ensure that companies like 3M continue to invest in Britain.” Anthea with Warwick University students

SEE INSIDE: PRIME MINISTER’S SPEECH

Delivering for the West in Europe | www.torymeps.com spring2013 Tyre Labels aid Better Cross-Border driver choice Parcel Delivery Boosts Single Market Malcolm has welcomed the EU Commission’s plans to boost and improve cross-border parcel delivery. Studies commissioned by the Consumer Protection Committee, which he chairs, show that only 9% of EU consumers buy goods online from other EU countries, due to high delivery costs and uncertainty that Malcolm inspects new promised delivery dates will be met. labeling on tyres Malcolm said: “Many e-commerce A Better Deal for Malcolm has welcomed new EU-wide labelling businesses are discouraged by delivery on tyres which indicates wet grip for safety and issues from selling to new markets. the UK and Europe rolling resistance for fuel efficiency, as well as Consumers are missing out on more an indication of rolling noise, helping drivers get choice and competition, and are worried Prime Minister David Cameron set out his trade deals with the US, Japan and India as the best possible tyre next time they buy. that goods won’t arrive on time. vision for the future of Europe. He spoke part of the drive towards global free trade”. Malcolm, who helped get the labelling standards “I’m delighted that the EU Commission of the need for “fundamental, far-reaching The Comprehensive Economic and Trade agreed, said: “Car safety and fuel efficiency are has launched this Green Paper. Low cost change” to the European Union, creating “a less Agreement with Canada, the EU’s biggest trade top of the agenda for the majority of car drivers. and secure delivery will boost the impact bureaucratic Union” against the backdrop of a deal to date and worth some $30 billion, is During the winter months, the grip of our tyres is so Malcolm gets to grips with improved of the Single Market and help businesses “crisis of competitiveness, as other nations soar already nearing completion. This agreement is important for our safety. And of course we all want cross-border parcel delivery grow in these difficult times.” ahead.” also pivotal to a huge Free Trade Deal with the to ensure our cars are as fuel efficient as possible, USA currently in its early stages with obvious so getting tyres with lower resistance will mean Your local MEPs Philip Bradbourn, Malcolm benefits especially investment in the UK more money in our pockets too. Harbour and Anthea McIntyre are pressing for economy. Justice and home affairs opt-out these reforming goals alongside holding key “This new labelling will give drivers reliable Airport roles in the . Mr Cameron called for a “flexible union of free information to compare different makes when Anthea welcomed Britain’s opt- member states” and should the Conservatives they need new tyres.” Crucial to The Prime Minister spoke of “the core of the out of 130 European law and win a majority at the next general election, after European Union” being the single market but order regulations from 2014 negotiations there will be a referendum for the Economy, needing especially to complete the Energy MEP VISITS British people to decide if they wish to continue “Accepting the authority of and Digital sectors and your MEPs have been to be a member of the European Union. National says Philip the European Courts would pushing its completion to the top of the political Traffic Control be incompatible with the UK’s agenda. Your MEPs support the Prime Ministers Philip recently met with representatives of Common Law system and legal promise of a referendum; they understand Birmingham Airport to give his support to However one of the Prime Ministers key Centre traditions which have been the role the European Union can play but also expansion plans and multi modal ticketing. concepts was on International Trade, stating “I As a leading member of the European developed over hundreds of years. understand that it is only right that after over Philip believes the airport is key to the want us to be at the forefront of transformative Parliament’s Transport Committee Philip “We simply do not have a legal 35 years the British public have their say. economic success of the area as it can open recently visited the National Traffic Control system which is based on the up access to new markets helping to create Centre in Birmingham. He met with Napoleonic and Romanic codes, jobs within the region. representatives of the Highways Agency to Anthea speaks up for Britain like the rest of Europe.” Conservatives condemn discuss their traffic management arrangements and their plans for the future. The West ‘socialist wish list’ Midlands area has some of the Country’s key PHILIP BRADBOURN OBE MEP MALCOLM HARBOUR CBE MEP ANTHEA MCINTYRE MEP Highway connections and it is vital to the local Areas of Responsibilty: Areas of Responsibilty: Areas of Responsibilty: Led by Anthea, Conservatives in Europe economy that they run efficiently. • • Birmingham • Dudley have condemned a raft of proposals which • • • Sandwell would make it much harder for companies to • Worcestershire • Coventry • Walsall restructure their operations. • Warwickshire • Herefordshire • Stoke on Trent • Shropshire “ Labour and their allies supported another • Newcastle under Lyme ‘socialist wish list’ which would destroy the ability of struggling companies to stay afloat. These rules 285 Road 285 Kenilworth Road The Chapel, Wythall Estate, Walford would leave firms hamstrung at the very time Balsall Common, Coventry CV7 7EL Balsall Common, Coventry CV7 7EL Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 5SD they need to move promptly and effectively to Tel: 01676 530621 Tel: 01676 530682 Tel: 01989 769544 restructure and save their businesses.” Anthea backs British businesses Philip visits Highway Agency HQ Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

MEP TEAM OFFICE: GENERAL ENQUIRIES: Promoted by the Conservative 285 Kenilworth Road, Karen Grinsell MEP Team, 285 Kenilworth Road, Delivering for the West Midlands in Europe | www.torymeps.com Balsall Common, Coventry CV7 7EL Email: [email protected] Balsall Common, Coventry CV7 7EL. Tel: 01676 530297 • Email: [email protected] Printed by Warwick Print. Shakespeare 400 on the European stage 2016 will mark 400 years since Shakespeare’s death. Leading academics at Birmingham University and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust are making plans for the Philip with Cllr. Kevin Foster event to be marked across Europe in words and music.

MEP Offers During a recent visit to Stratford-upon- support to Avon, Malcolm was among the first to be shown ideas for the project ‘Shakespeare speed up European Laureate: 1769, 2016 and Beyond’. The plans have been inspired by Coventry the celebration event of 1769, staged by the great Shakespearean David Garrick. Regeneration Malcolm was shown some of the original Philip met recently with the Leader of material and heard some of the music Coventry Conservatives, Cllr Kevin Foster, composed for it during his visit. to discuss regeneration and transport schemes planned for the city including the There are Shakespeare research centres Coventry to rail improvement across Europe, and more than half his plays scheme. As a leading member of the are set in European countries, notably in Transport Committee in the European Italy. As a result of his visit, Malcolm is Parliament Philip was keen to offer his backing the bid for Shakespeare to become support and assistance to help the delivery the inaugural European Laureate in 2016. of transport and regeneration projects in the city proceed more quickly. Malcolm said: “It would be a great boost for Stratford and surrounding area, and for everyone involved in the promotion of Shakespeare, to make this such a wide ranging event. I’m delighted to be backing this bid and I’ll do whatever I can to make William Shakespeare this a success.”

Update on CAP Reform The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy was the key topic of a recent Jeremy Wright MP meeting with representatives of the NFU at Kenilworth & Stoneleigh. “I am delighted that the Prime Minister Proposals for CAP reform that would achieved his aim of ensuring a cut in the EU penalise British farmers and landowners budget for 2014-20. For the first time in the who have taken huge steps to protect and EU’s 56 year history the budget has been enhance the environment are being resisted reduced and a cap has been placed on the EU by Conservatives in Europe while measures credit card for the next seven years. to create a level-playing field for farmers across Europe are being pushed hard. “At a time when British tax payers are living in a period of austerity and making cuts in their “We are working to simplify the CAP; entrench daily lives, I think this is welcome news and it support for efficient farmers; recognise the role is right that the EU is having to find ways of of farmers and landowners as environmental reducing its own costs. The support of our own custodians and reduce the bureaucratic burden MEPs in backing this deal is imperative and this - all whilst removing hidden subsidies and is a reminder of the important work they do.” Anthea with John Mercer NFU barriers to trade,” said Anthea.

Delivering for the West Midlands in Europe | www.torymeps.com spring2013