Monthly Archives: February 2012

NEWS: McMillan-Scott: EP ‘Travelling Circus’ must end

Posted on by
Reply

Edward McMillan-Scott MEPSenior Liberal Democrat MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament, Edward McMillan-Scott is leading the campaign, alongside fellow Vice-President Alexander Alvaro, a German Liberal, to end the ‘travelling circus’ of MEPs moving 12 times a year, 400km from Parliament’s home in Brussels to its second home in Strasbourg.

As residents across the country are tightening their financial belts, Edward McMillan-Scott is demanding that the European Parliament does the same.  Continue reading “NEWS: McMillan-Scott: EP ‘Travelling Circus’ must end” »

Hall: Securing funding for accurate scientific data on how climate change affects the planet

Posted on by
Reply

The leader of the Lib Dem MEPs in the European Parliament and energy expert Fiona Hall highlights the need for accurate scientific information about how climate change is affecting the planet: this is the role of GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). She questions the Commission’s proposals to fund the programme and stresses the need for a stable financial framework that would guarantee the independent future of the programme as a key requirement for Europe’s long-term security.

NEWS: Lib Dems call for a freeze of MEP allowance and travel expenditure

Posted on by
Reply

George Lyon MEPSenior Lib Dem MEP George Lyon, Vice-President of the European Parliament’s Budget Committee, wants MEP allowances to be frozen until the end of this legislature in 2014 and is calling for a curb on travel costs and a freeze on administrative spending for all EU institutions.

Commenting ahead of a vote on the 2013 EU budget guidelines in the European Parliament in Strasbourg tomorrow, Mr Lyon said: Continue reading “NEWS: Lib Dems call for a freeze of MEP allowance and travel expenditure” »

NEWS: LYON: Minister should not hesitate to wield the big stick of compulsory milk contracts

Posted on by
Reply

George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, says that the UK agriculture minister Jim Paice should not hesitate to wield the big stick of compulsory milk contracts if the dairy trade fail to reach agreement with producer representatives on a voluntary code of conduct for the milk industry.

News: Lib Dem MEP for West Midlands takes up seat in European Parliament

Posted on by
Reply

Phillip Bennion has been officially confirmed as the new Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands region at the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg.

The Staffordshire farmer and economic policy expert takes over from Liz Lynne who stood down from Parliament earlier in February after more than 12 years due to the extensive travelling required in the job. Phillip Bennion was elected to second place on the Lib Dem list of candidates at the last European elections in 2009. Continue reading “News: Lib Dem MEP for West Midlands takes up seat in European Parliament” »

NEWS: Ludford: Shaker Aamer decade of detention stains Obama record

Posted on by
Reply

Commenting on today’s 10-year anniversary of Shaker Aamer’s detention without charge in Guantanamo, London MEP and vice-chair of the European Parliament’s delegation to the US Sarah Ludford said:

“The continued existence of Guantanamo is a stain on the record and reputation of President Obama, a lawyer whose attachment to human rights was celebrated early in his Presidency by the Nobel peace prize award. It is an outrage that my constituent Shaker Aamer remains incarcerated in Guantanamo and separated from his family in London a decade after he was sold by bounty-hunters and having been charged with no crime.” Continue reading “NEWS: Ludford: Shaker Aamer decade of detention stains Obama record” »

NEWS: Watson calls on EU energy ministers to electrify the debate, not gas it

Posted on by
Reply

Sir Graham Watson MEPEuropean Union energy ministers are meeting in Brussels today to discuss EU energy policy and the draft regulation on guidelines for European energy infrastructure.

Sir Graham Watson MEP who is Chairman of the Climate Parliament, a global network of MPs and MEPs from all mainstream political parties campaigning to increase government investment in renewable energy and electricity supergrids, and is also President of the ELDR party, commented: Continue reading “NEWS: Watson calls on EU energy ministers to electrify the debate, not gas it” »