European Newsletter
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Published by Phil Bennion for the Liberal Democrat European Group, Haunton Manor Farm, Haunton, Tamworth, Staffordshire. Design and typesetting by Ben Jephcott THE COALITION: How will it work at European level? Coalition is the norm in the rest of Europe, but the first in Britain since 1945 is still a revolution for the body politic here and those who report on it. Many have asked what difference the agreement will make to politics at a European level. FIONA HALL, Leader of the UK Lib Dem MEPs reports. The first thing to remember is that guard their red lines. MEPs are in MEPs do the coalition government is Her touch directly with their agree on is Majesty's Government - it is an constituents and are more aware that we will agreement made about a of the inconsistencies and be the ones programme of government for the difficulties which arise when there to decide United Kingdom. So what Liberal is a lack of a common European whether we Democrats do at other levels, be it approach. agree or not, not the British media. local councils, devolved So MEPs not infrequently disagree We are determined to manage the assemblies in Scotland, Wales and with their own governments and process of difference and make Northern Ireland, or in Brussels, is take a different line even when sure that the media does not set not affected. And of course, Liberal they are from the same party. It us up against each other or use Democrat MEPs disagree with was Liberal Democrat MEPs who our views to undermine the right-wing MEP colleagues on supported the Labour Government coalition government. matters such as civil liberties and on keeping the opt-out in the climate change just as profoundly We have therefore put in place a Working Time Directive - while as they did a few months ago. strong system of liaison between Labour MEPs were bitterly leaders, whips and staff so that we The second thing to bear in mind is opposed. are fully aware in advance about that because the European Agreeing to disagree those points on which we take Parliament and the Council are the differing lines. co-legislators at a European level, So don't expect it to be all there is a certain in-built tension sweetness and light between We will agree to disagree in a between them. Member State Liberal Democrat and polite manner - which indeed is ministers, whatever their Conservative MEPs, nor even how most business is conducted in nationality and political persuasion between Lib Dem MEPs and UK the European Parliament. tend to want to maintain control at coalition ministers. But what Lib FIONA HALL a national level and jealously Dem MEPs and Conservative Lib Dem European Group ldeg.org A change that deserves a chance to work, says Phil Bennion spell in opposition. The “Nats” are new Treaty is also unlikely for as keen on PR as we are and some time. I am, however, would certainly have done a deal disappointed at a general to get reform. commitment to a referendum if further powers are ceded to The Labour spin machine was in Brussels, although the definitions action so quickly after the coalition are somewhat vague. announcement that I suspect that Welcome back to Eurofile after a their “line” was constructed and But overall, the package we two-month break, as all of us rehearsed while their negotiators voted on at the NEC is both here were either General were still talking. The BBC Liberal and Internationalist. The Election candidates or running pedalled the Labour line uncritically new government feels different, campaigns. Now the landscape for several days before the penny already, it is a change and it has changed. After a political started to drop. A minority Tory deserves a chance to work. lifetime in opposition, I’m having government would have required a continuous state of abstention from The view from the parish pump to get used to defending here in rural England (and I accept decisions instead of attacking the Lib Dems to survive. Our first critical vote against them would that the situation is different in the them. I’ve asked our MEPs for devolved administrations as well their views on the coalition and have precipitated a second General Election. as the Labour heartlands) is that a a range of their responses are Con-Lib coalition is welcome. included in these two pages. It must be said that the European Indeed, most people I meet from For my own part, I’d come to a section of the coalition agreement outside of the political bubble are clear view that a Con-Lib coalition leaves much to be desired, but the delighted, preferring it to a Tory was the best option within 36 hours Tory Eurosceptics are also overall majority. They know that of leaving my own count in Telford. unhappy with it. Gone is the the deficit must be tackled. They A deal with Labour was a non- Conservative pledge to repatriate expect us to have both the resolve starter. Not because of the need competences from the EU back to to see it through and the sensitivity for nationalists to be included but Westminster and in its place a to ensure that the coalition delivers rather due to the 50 or more commitment to positive working the necessary cuts in a fair way. Labour MPs viscerally opposed to within Europe. We would not have We must not let them down. electoral reform and itching for a been joining the Euro within the next parliament in any case and a Phil Bennion, Editor Deal has the stamp of fairness - Graham Watson “Nick Clegg has shown the remarkable strength of “Details of the agreement show that the Lib Dem character, honesty and commitment to liberal negotiating team won key battles for fairer taxes, values that he first demonstrated in the European fundamental political reform of Parliament and the Parliament. He secured the best possible voting system, and has helped steer Britain in a agreement for our party and country, and in greener and more sustainable direction. All of this particular the most vulnerable in society whom would have been missing without a coalition with liberals always seek to protect. the Conservatives. “Liberal Democrats should be proud to point this “It may not be the ideal outcome but one out on the doorstep. We have listened to the overpowering fact remains: for the first time in 65 electorate, risen above the tribalism that has years, Liberals are able directly to shape the policy brought Britain to its knees over 60 years, and of government. Whatever happens over the coming ushered in an era of new politics. Self-interest has months and years, the Lib Dem stamp of fairness been sidelined for what is right for the country. will be clearly visible on British government.” All year round LibDem ACTION in Europe “‘Come into my Respect for human rights parlour’ said the spider to the fly. But key to deal, says Liz Lynne the Lib Dem fly comes armed ...” Speaking before the special Birmingham conference, West says CHRIS DAVIES Midlands MEP Liz Lynne urged members to back the There are great risks: "Come coalition because of the 'cast into my parlour said the spider iron pledges' written into the to the fly." But the Lib Dem fly agreement. comes armed and cannot be devoured - at least until the Liz said: "I have always been a next election is called. conviction politician. Like many, The deal that has been thrashed my main concern is that the out incorporates significant policies and principles we fought Liberal Democrat objectives. We so hard for in the general will, of course, have to election can be reflected in a compromise and accept some new government. Conservative ones too. That's the "After the election, two things did "I am particularly pleased that we price to be paid for agreement become clear. Firstly, there was no persuaded the Conservatives to between two parties. possibility of a workable deal with agree to end Labour's policy of A deal with Labour was not Labour and the Nationalists, the imprisoning innocent children in credible. A government would maths didn't add up and most asylum centres, which is cruel and have survived the first crucial Labour leaders were not interested. wrong. The agreement makes clear votes but it would have been worn that basic human rights will be “Meanwhile, Nick and the down by attrition. Vote after vote respected. The new coalition has negotiating team were winning would have been lost in the already announced the end of ID concessions from the Tories on months that followed until the cards, which Labour refused to do. many key manifesto pledges. They government collapsed in did a fantastic job. The final "Politics is ultimately about getting disarray. We would not have the agreement is remarkable for its cast policies and principles carried strong, stable government able iron commitments - on fairer taxes, through into government. This to make difficult decisions now on schools, on a green economy coalition gives us the chance at last required, and little or nothing to and political reform. Not everything to show what Liberal Democrats show by way of achievement. we wanted, but huge steps forward. can do to win real change." We have not got a commitment to a proportional voting system, which is bad news, but we don't have the votes in Parliament to secure it. Turkeys don't vote for Christmas. I hope the other political reforms agreed, and the hugely enhanced credibility that our party now gains, will stand us in good stead for the future.