Having been elected leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament five times, I have decided not to offer myself for re-election in the annual elections for positions within our delegation this November.
I am extremely proud of all that we have achieved in my time as leader. We have won a European election campaign and played an important part in the British General Election. We have created a strong and stable British Conservative presence in the European Parliament and we have consistently punched well above our weight in defending Britain’s interests. We have pursued David Cameron’s ‘one party’ agenda, ensuring that our links with the Conservative frontbench and the grassroots of the Party are strong. And we have led the other parties in terms of transparency.
My successor will inherit an extremely talented and hard-working delegation which has been ‘refreshed’ with new blood following the European elections last year.
The new group that we have formed in the European Parliament – the European Conservatives and Reformists – has achieved so much in a very short period of time. In the face of adversity, we have established ourselves as a credible and well-respected group in the parliament and we have redrawn the map of European politics. For the first time there is now a credible, centre-right voice articulating the vision of a different kind of Europe whilst harnessing the forces of the centre and centre-right to build an anti-socialist alliance in the parliament.
I intend to focus my efforts on developing the ECR group further as its Deputy Chairman, working side-by-side with Michal Kaminski, our group Chairman. Our partnership has worked well and we intend to build on it so that we can continue to raise our profile and enhance our group’s policy-making machinery. Our group has coordinators on every committee, a committee chairman, a place at the Conference of Presidents (the ‘top table’ of the parliament), and two Prime Ministers in the European Council. Now we want to use that influence and skill to develop a clear positive policy framework for our group, which enables us to enact our founding Prague declaration. I still intend for our group to grow and I will be seeking new members to bolster our ranks.
David Cameron and William Hague have transformed the way that Britain does business in Europe and I enjoy working closely with them. They are sticking up for Britain’s interests in a constructive manner, whilst putting forward a clear vision for a more open, transparent and leaner EU. I will continue to play my part in delivering a Conservative vision for the EU.
( 15 comments ) Tags: EU, Europe, European Parliament
Comment by Simon on October 19, 2010 at 8:17 pm
How about supporting a referendum on EU membership and get us out of this farce.
Comment by John Wombwell on October 20, 2010 at 9:27 am
It is this type of self-praise that is ruining this country. Why keep trying to support a costly set-up that has never had any accounts approved and is entirely anti-British.
Why doesn’t he just say how much of British sovereignity has been GIVEN to Brussels.
Comment by Never Again! on October 20, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Certainly the Conservative Party has achieved a lot in it’s dalliances with the EEC/EU
Before joining the EEC Conservative party membership was close to 1.4 million. 40 years of galvanising EU integration have ‘swelled’ the ranks of the Conservative Party to what er ummm 200,000? And via the ERM, Black Wednesday and the subsequent economic chaos delivered the most disasterous election results for the Conservative Party in the 20th Century.
With every further dalliance the Conservatives place another nail in their coffin. Heath first and then Major have and now Cameron is doing his best best to lead their party to defeat.
It’s a shame, I’m a natural Conservative but I’m English and a Democrat and the Conservative Party are no longer either. They are just more Euroflunkies. They offer nothing for me and leave me cold with their duplicity
Comment by Michael Ian Barton on October 21, 2010 at 10:09 am
UK has been let down by recent recession events.
It was a great idea to emulated the Ancient Med history of island bankers and transform UK from smog prone heavy industry to modern clerical and computer high literacy but the faith has to be there as the Thera vulcanism destroyed so much of the false gods around 1500 bc so 2000+ad has lost its Xtian and Jewish protestant initiative which made us a great Inventor, discoverer and Super Power.
The 2000yr ad celebrations have relaxed and UK with a better Commonwealth can help the world progress in a controlled and planned manner so much better than Shiva and total immorality.
The interest rates and repayment % were far too high and sex and big families swamped the grains of automation and general physics of machines and that shows bad faith and lack of real endeavour with trust, honesty and keeping saving all in real terms as better than survival % with great sacrifices,cannibalism and the one false race supremacism in place of spectral balanced plans and the one great human race where numbers of people and commodities and money will be within the scope of the 10 commandments and the Great Creator and good human mind.
Comment by tanya on October 21, 2010 at 12:15 pm
I commend your achievements and energy in trying to make headway with the EU. I am English and have lived in Portugal and let me assure you that you will not get much further in your endeavours to have a centre right voice. The EU hate the UK, we have no respect and it is all based on envy as it would appear is most of politics everywhere today. We are obeying all the rules while they hand pick the ones that they like and ignore the rest as the fines are so insignificant to act as a incentive. We have to appologise for long past Imperialism that they will never forget, but in Portugal (as I have experience) the way they treated Macau and Angola distroying even the drainage system as they left is forgotten and not to be mentioned. We only have to go to history to see that not much has changed, Europe want to bring us down to their shabby level and from what I see literally with rubbish all over our streets they have done a very good job. For your information the bins are collected on a daily basis in most countries in Europe. Their hospitals also have a better survival rate for illnesses like cancer and heart disease while we drop to below a poor country like Portugal. So what has being Europe done for the average British citizen. I do not see a very pretty picture.
Comment by Roger Harris on October 25, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Please explain why the Tories are so afraid of having a refendum on Europe. You know why- because it would result in a resounding NO- Get us out! from the electorate.
I find it completely rediculous for this country to remain in the European Union when we get virtually nothing out of it. The amount of waste in Brussels and the European Parliamnet is unbelievable and their latest proposals for things such as extended paid maternity leave is simply barking. If we were to leave this overseas madhouse we could save billions, reinvest these savings into businesses in the UK, get control back to the British instead of the French and Germans and spend the time looking after ourselves. It would also make immigration control easier to manage.
Sorry, but as a Conservative voter and a Brit I feel totally beytrayed.
Regards,
Roger Harris
Comment by Edie on October 27, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Let us have a referendum on leaving the EU. PLEASE
Comment by Heston CDA on October 28, 2010 at 8:21 am
Have to say Heston CDA fully agrees with Roger Harris and any comments in line with this, again particularly with the link to immigration/asylum/benefits/population.
http://blog.conservatives.com/index.php/2010/08/15/decisive-early-action-on-immigration/
Is it true that the EU commission/parliament doesn’t have to publish some of its minutes until 44 years later (heard from an insider on LBC)! Recent Polls suggest 73-75% of British want out of EU and referendum. 48 Million a day for what exactly? Similarly why so much overseas aid? Particularly to countries which can clearly afford their own defence expansions, aircraft and IT – yet some of those countries deprive their own people from a decent life; Shanty towns, class systems, untouchables as some may refer.
Do most creditors come from EU, if not perhaps we can use the 48 Million to pay off the deficit interest to those creditors instead???
Now a proposal by EU for an EU tax on the British people? Don’t we already pay enough tax here in the UK?
Cutting housing benefits is right. Cutting Immigration and reducing population is right but please, Damian Green talks tough but let’s see real change not just the word change written all over blogs/campaigns. We have, as the conservatives say, been left in a complete mess by labour, we agree fully. So let’s get on with real action and counter measures.
Appreciate things take time and the conservatives are certainly doing what’s right in the national interest and not just what gains popularity like celebrities do! The truth may hurt but the truth should be known and decisive action must be taken NOW. We see many illegal immigrants still operating in the area earning cash in hand and avoiding tax, local Hounslow Council (currently labour controlled) do absolutely nothing about it. Some businesses preferring to lose money rather than produce VAT invoices! The latter are mostly from india/punjab/bangladesh/afghan regions but many from EU too.
A caller in LBC said if the British want out of EU then the only party to vote for is UKIP? Don’t let this become a fact. The conservatives can also stand up for us. Good luck to David Cameron this weekend at EU talks. Go tell the Eurocrats and the Rest of the world ‘enough is enough’ and what his British people/voters really think about all this nonsense.
Switzerland and Norway prosper but are NOT part of the EU. We also admire the guts the French president has. He is not looking for popularity, he does what he knows is right. On the point of Germany, great nation but having lived and worked there + visited yearly, it too is becoming over populated, has immigration problems and the quality of life of the Germans we know has been reducing as a result.
Brilliant performance at PMQS yesterday. Does the labour party have a new leader yet? No answer required…
Regards, Heston CDA
Comment by Nigel Walker on October 28, 2010 at 10:51 am
Let’s face it , the prevailing ethos in Europe is undeniably Socialistic to varying degrees depending on the country . Why should Britain , which has recently rejected hard Socialism in the General Election , still be forced by lunatic left-wing extremists to participate in their ideology . I’m referring to politicians such as Martine Aubrey , Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Monsieur Besancenoe ( Communist party France ) , Segolene Royale etc. Even the new Polish president of EU calling for a direct tax payable to Brussels. It’s time to call time on our membership of the EU and their Socialist – inspired profligacy . Mr. Cameron , in the interests of Britain please DO NOT give any more power to these dangerous people. The best solution would be complete withdrawal from the EU.
Regards , Nigel Walker
Comment by Richard Waddington on October 28, 2010 at 10:59 am
So we are all in it together are we? Massive cuts . Yes understood! Foreign aid ringfenced, whilst some British people are denied treatment for terminal illnesses on the grounds of too expensive is nothing short of criminal. These people have contributed for years as generations of their family have before them. Promises Promises Promises.
Where is EU referendum, oh and that other promise Britannia restored on 50p. NAME THE DAY DAVID CAMERON
Comment by Richard Waddington on October 28, 2010 at 11:33 am
Could the party now reflect it’s stance on Europe. by changing the party colour from blue to YELLOW
Comment by John King on October 28, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Like many other people I feel complely let down by the conservative party over Europe. I wanted a referendum and I was expecting a referendum, I have heard nothing to alter this fact. Have you now said goodby to Britain.
Comment by Stephen Ford on October 29, 2010 at 9:26 am
I also want to agree whole heartedly with the comments of Mr. Roger Harris.
Steve Ford
Comment by gary on October 30, 2010 at 9:27 am
absolutely outrages that David Cameron agreed to increase the EUs budget whilst the UK is facing huge welfare and spending cuts including pension reform.
He seems to be back tracking on all his election pledges especially concerning the EU and Immigration, he is still presiding over a socialist driven agenda without much change, perhaps he would do better becoming the next leader of the Labour party, a Maggie Thatcher he isn’t, and his slogan “were all in this together“ is really a stark reminder of how detached our political leaders are from reality.
Every day the Conservative party loses support from its core supporters.
At the moment the party I once treasured is heading for the political abyss, but perhaps it doesn’t matter anymore my country has been destroyed and it cannot be fixed politicians have a lot to answer for.
Comment by Andrew Adams on November 1, 2010 at 10:19 pm
David cameron won nothing. Still going to cost the UK over £400,000,000 extra, and who is going to pay it, th elow paid of cause. We shoul get out of the EU, Labour put us in with out the voters permission, get out stay out and save billions of pounds a year, we can still trade with EU country’s.