Tag Archives: european commission

David Cameron’s hypocrisy is utterly shameless as the EU leaders’ letter to Barosso and van Rompuy demonstrates

Along with 11 other European leaders, David Cameron has signed a letter to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso and European Council President Herman van Rompuy suggesting priority areas for growth in Europe. Even taking into account David Cameron’s masterful … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Labour Party

Patrick Stewart on domestic violence shows up right-wing MEPs

The actor Patrick Stewart wrote movingly in the Guardian yesterday about how domestic violence blighted his childhood. He condemned the decline in statutory funding going to Refuge, the leading charity in this field. Sadly some MEPs on the right of … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Labour Party

David Cameron appears to be engaging with the EU in a good way

Even small-state, cut public expenditure David Cameron seemingly wants to help young people find jobs. This is excellent news which I hope will be translated into concrete action in Britain to bring down youth unemployment which currently stands at a … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Labour Party

Hungarian Premier Orban Polarises the European Parliament

The European Parliament has just wrapped up a debate on the political situation in Hungary following the European Commission’s commencement of infringement proceedings a few days ago against Hungary’s right-wing Fidesz government.  The Commission is taking action against three specific … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Labour Party

Hungarian Premier Orban seeks to out-Putin Putin

The European Parliament Socialist and Democrat Group earlier today expressed extreme concern at the antics of the right-wing Fidesz governing Party in Hungary led by the populist and dictatorial Viktor Orban. On 1 January a new prescriptive constitution entered into force … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Labour Party

Women are safer with Labour

It was good to see that the commission on women’s safety chaired by former Solicitor General Vera Baird QC with assistance from Labour MPs Kate Green and Stella Creasey has just had its first meeting.  Now it is established, Labour’s … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Labour Party

An Examination of the Working Time Directive is not Repatriation of Powers

The ‘Angie-Dave’ saga is becoming ever more surreal. The Guardian reported earlier in the week that the UK will sign a proposed revision of the Lisbon Treaty aimed at underpinning tough new fiscal rules for the Eurozone in exchange for an undertaking … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Labour Party

The European Commission refuses a Directive on Combatting Violence against Women

This blog can today reveal that the European Commission will not now be introducing the long-awaited Directive to Combat Violence against Women. The European Parliament Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (Femm) Committee has championed such a Directive for several years, and the Parliament itself adopted a resolution calling … Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under Labour Party

More power to the European Commission

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso gave his “State of the Union” address to the European Parliament today. Below are key extracts. You may be interested in the Financial Transaction Tax and Mr Barroso’s plans for greater economic integration in … Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under Labour Party

Public Service Europe on the Potential Greek Default

I have been quoted in an interesting article on the debt crisis in the Greece.  The article appeared on the excellent website Public Service Europe.  You can read it on the site by following the link here, but i have … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Labour Party