The EU Tobacco
Directive
The week began well with the removal from the agenda of a
debate on the EU's Tobacco Directive. This would have seen the possible
reclassification of e-cigarettes as 'medicinal products', a highly unpopular
proposal, and one which has attracted a great deal of attention. I will be
voting against this. Controversy
surrounding the directive has also stirred up debate about the influence of the
tobacco lobby in Brussels – this is an issue that comes up time and again, and
several times the integrity of some MEPs has been called into question, with
one Austrian MEPs recently being given a jail sentence for taking bribes. The
vote on the directive is scheduled for October 8th, but there are likely to be
attempts to postpone this until the next parliament.
Syria
Syria was debated following a statement on Wednesday
afternoon by Cathy Ashton. As always, she took a lot of flak for her lack of
action. The decisions are of course being made in the Whitehouse and the
Kremlin, the EU is proving itself to be totally ineffective on the world stage.
Financial Sector.
The 'Banking Union' was on the agenda and all the major
political groups expressed their support. This will likely to give the European
Central Bank supervisory powers over Europe’s 6000 banks, and I am concerned
that this is another step to the undermining of the independence of the City of
London. I will not be supporting that, of course.
Mortgages were also an issue in Strasbourg this week, with
calls to make legislation on credit an EU competence. Again, the importance to
the UK economy of our financial institutions can never be over stated, and so I
will never support such a proposal.
The State Of The
Union, & What A State It's In!
The State of the Union address on Wednesday was probably President
Barroso's last such performance. MEPs referred to a need for more leadership
and adherence to UN rules over Egypt and Syria, and an end to austerity. Many,
myself included, are sceptical about what completion of the Single Market and
Banking Union will actually achieve. The
failings of the External Action Service inevitably confront the former Maoist
Barroso, and his State of the Union addresses are always uncomfortable for him.
This was no exception!
Youth Unemployment.
Youth unemployment was on the agenda again. This debate is being
led by the left, which may be seen as a hindrance, with calls for more
'socialist measures' to be taken. Most MEPs are agreed on the need for better
training initiatives, but different educational and employment practices and
different cultural characteristics mean that the issue should be addressed at
national level, not by the EU.
Biofuels.
Biofuels are a contentious issue. There is a strong lobby
against the use of food for fuel at a time when hunger remains an issue, and the
drive for production in developing economies has also led to resurgence in
deforestation. The environmental costs, and the inappropriate use of food for
fuel, will impact on the most vulnerable members of society in those developing
nations – the poor, women, and children. It is time to rethink the EU’s
position on biofuels.
Personal Freedoms.
The Miranda Case remains an issue with conspiracy theorists
and the left, and is a catalyst for anti-US sentiment. However, the issue of
surveillance of individuals and exchange of personal information is of concern
to all of us who value our freedoms, our rights, and our democratic
institutions.
