Britain: Euroconfused not Eurosceptic
Joe Litobarski analyses two recent polls that throw new light on the British public’s opinions on European Union, which challenge the UK’s image as a ‘Eurosceptic’ nation.
European Union
MEPs should support proposals for an EU-level Financial Transaction Tax
Sarah King, TUC Brussels officer, on why MEPs should support proposals for a European Union-level Financial Transactions Tax when it’s voted on in the European Parliament next week.
The homophobe, the climate denier or the moderate – what next for the ECR?
We now have the three candidates for the leadership of the Conservative-dominated European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament.
Cameron misinformed on EU bailouts says top Tory
Prime minister David Cameron faces criticism from within his own party over claims he has prevented Britain contributing to a potential European Union bailout.
Government opts out of EU human trafficking directive
After months of confusion and mixed messages the government today opted out of new European Union rules to crack down on human trafficking, reports Shamik Das.
UKIP MEP thrown out of European Parliament for Nazi slur
United Kingdom Independence Party MEP Godfrey Bloom has unleashed yet another stream of coarse, xenophobic abuse – this time in the European Parliament. Whilst listening to a speech by German Social Democrat MEP Martin Schulz, Bloom shouted “Ein volk, ein reich, ein fuhrer” – one people, one empire, one leader. Bloom was ordered to leave the chamber and went on to describe Mr Schultz as “a national socialist”.
Hannan accused of “dishonourable” behaviour as Tory MEPs lurch right
The Tory right were on the march in Brussels today, voting in hardline Eurosceptic Martin Callanan as the leader of the party’s MEPs. Callanan was the unanimous victor in the poll of the Conservative’s 24 Members of the European Parliament, winning over 50 per cent of the vote – including the support of Daniel Hannan, who had told Callanan’s rival Charles Tannock he would vote for him, only to double-cross him.
Cameron’s G20 ignorance risks shutting Britain out of global policy making
If the sad truth is that Cameron simply doesn’t care about Britain taking a lead in developing a more multilateral economic approach then so be it. But by doing so he’s shutting the UK out of the game – with the US, the G20 and the EU.
Tories didn’t table a single amendment to significantly cut EU budget
Labour MEPs voted against the overall call for a budget increase and against a host of outrageous calls to increase spending. But it gets far more interesting than that. For all their bluster Conservative MEPs failed to table a single amendment to the final budget package that would have resulted in a reduction in spending against 2010 levels. It was left to Labour members to propose cuts of more than €1bn to wasteful agricultural subsidies.
Coalition still planning to opt out of directive on human trafficking
The prime minister today insisted the Government was uncompromising in its position on cracking down on human trafficking.