The European Elections

In Rome in 1957, when the leaders of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy and Germany created a customs union among themselves, they signed 2 treaties which purported "to lay the foundations of an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe". What might once have been dismissed as diplomatic grandiloquence about trading arrangements has since evolved into a project with a significant impact on the lives of the peoples of Europe. In the coming days, the people of Europe may have the opportunity to influence the future of that project.

The EU has acquired a certain notoriety over the years for being overintrusive, undemocratic and unaccountable, and few would deny that that reputation is to some extent deserved. There have often been bitter complaints that the EU has ambitions of becoming a "United States of Europe" in the American mould. The EU's proposals to replace national currencies and to formalise its relationship with member states in the form of a European Constitution have seemed to confirm some of these fears. On the other hand, some of the policies implemented by the EU - specifically, the easing of restrictions on the cross-border movement of goods and workers, and on the transfer of money between EU member states (culminating in the introduction into several states of an internationally exchangeable EU currency) - are generally regarded as beneficial, or even popular. And one thing that is certain is that membership of the EU has continued to prove attractive to governments of states outside the union. This structure now consists - following its recent enlargement - of twenty-five member states, with a combined estimated population of over 450 million people (the population of the United States, by way of comparison, is roughly 295 million). Further applications for membership are still pending, from Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. It should be conceded, at the very least, that these new members and applicant states see a strategic disadvantage in being left "outside the club". In the coming days, the voters of these member states will have the opportunity to influence the future direction of this project in the elections for the European Parliament.

The Parliament of the EU is the only one of its institutions subject to direct election by the peoples of Europe. It has the power to dismiss the European Commission (the body which proposes new European laws for consideration by the member governments), and in 1999 it forced Commissioners to resign over a corruption scandal. However, in the 1999 elections for that Parliament, the UK turnout was less than a quarter of those eligible to vote. It is easy to attribute this to apathy, and say that the European Union cannot be slowed down by the absence of a democratic mandate. But without voters' support, the European Parliament cannot be truly representative of the EU's population. And voters cannot be expected to make a reasoned choice at the ballot box unless they know who the candidates are, what they really stand for, what they have done or intend to do during their term in office, and why voters should care about it.

So, in an attempt to address this democratic deficit, I recently issued a questionnaire to several of the candidates of my own "European constituency", North-East England, asking them to do just that.

Here are the replies I received:

Greg Stone (Liberal Democrats)

Why should people in Britain bother to vote in the forthcoming elections to the European parliament?
The EU has powers that affect all of our lives. People should therefore vote for the representative or party that most closely represents their views. The EU is subject to potentially significant change with the enlargement process going on and the constitution issue similarly likely to lead to change. It is important that Britain has a say in this and people should vote to make their views known.

Why should people in the North-East of England vote for you?
As a Lib Dem candidate I am campaigning on a platform of fighting for a fair deal for this region. Labour takes the North East for granted, and the Tories have no policies for this region. The Lib Dems want to see a better deal for the North East in terms of funding, in terms of employment, in terms of the environment, and in terms of transport. The EU is an important forum for securing assistance to tackle the region's problems and is an important partner to the UK Government in this process. My LIb Dem colleagues and I have been exposing the failure of Labour to tackle these problems e.g. on the crisis in spending EU grant aid in this region leading to money being withdrawn.

What do you consider to be the most important issues facing the countries of the European Union at the present time?
Sustainability, globalisation, security, migration.

What role do you think the European Union itself should be playing in solving those problems?
With the exception perhaps of security, all these issues need to be addressed at a supra-national level rather than a national level. International co-operation via the EU is the best way of tackling these problems in a coherent way.

Do you think, in principle, that Britain should join the Euro single currency?
Yes providing that the UK electorate supports it in a referendum and providing that the economic conditions are favourable.

What do you think are the most important issues for the long-term success of the Euro currency?
I think it is proving a success already if compared with the dollar. One of the major issues will be variability of interest rates in the Eurozone, another will be the international economy and the likelihood of (for example) OPEC countries seeking to buy/sell oil in Euros rather than dollars.

Do you think the European Union should have more democratic power structures, such as a directly elected president?
In principle yes. The EU is often criticised for being a vast unelected bureaucracy. As a Lib Dem, I am all in favour of democratic legitimacy and accountability and therefore support the proposed constitution. More power should be given to the elected Parliament rather than the unelected Commission.

Do you support, in principle, the adoption of a new European Union constitution? What difference do you think it is likely to make?
See above. The constitution will help to address the "democratic deficit" inherent within the current EU structures. I do not regard that as a threat, I regard it as increasing the democracy and transparency within the EU.

What do you consider to be the greatest implications of EU enlargement?
The EU's future relationship with its new neighbours, the former CIS countries and Turkey. The EU currently seems uncertain how best to interact with these countries, and whether they should be members. There are also economic implications in terms of the regional aid and agriculture budgets and the opportunity should be taken to reform these policies.

What issues would you expect the European Union to be concentrating on over the next next 5 years? What issues do you think Britain's foreign policy in Europe should focus on?
i) relationship with neighbours (see above).
ii) improving economic and social conditions in new member states.
iii) security and migration issues (esp anti-terrorism) and effective EU-wide co-operation on these policies.

If elected, what would you personally hope to achieve as an MEP over the next 5 years?
To give the North East a more effective in Europe - as a Lib Dem MEP I would be able to speak out on the issues affecting the region and act in the interests of the region, rather than acting first and foremost in the interests of the UK (Labour) government.

To what extent do you consider yourself a European?
Strongly, but I don't believe that's incompatible with being English or British. It's a false dichotomy.

Charlotte Bull (UK Independence Party)

Why should people in Britain bother to vote in the forthcoming elections to the European parliament?
Not voting keeps the status quo as it is. Those who are not happy with our relationship with the EU need to inform those currently in power by the only effective means they possess. Namely by withdrawing their support, and voting for U.K.I.P.( Or elsewhere, I suppose) The reverse of course is true. If you feel your MEP is an effective force for good, you need to vote in order to preserve the expensive tyrannical law making factory that is the E.U.

Why should people in the North-East of England vote for you?
Because all U.K.I.P. candidates uniquely regard them as our employers. Our loyalty is it to them not to the E.U. We will not pretend credit for any benefits bestowed by that body. We will keep them informed of matters of which they are entitled to know. Consultation is not a replacement for democracy, but we will aim to represent their needs and wishes within the E.U., not represent the E.U. to them.

What do you consider to be the most important issues facing the countries of the European Union at the present time?
Short answer - Finding a means to ensure their survival as independent countries. Restoring the right for each country to veto proposals with no 'reparations'.
Long answer - Hard to pick priorities. Independent countries have different priorities. Bringing in some means of commissioner accountability. Abolishing secrecy within the commission, council of ministers and council of the regions. Ending the information constipation which keeps the majority of the British and no doubt other countries' peoples from a proper understanding of the workings of the E.U. and how badly they are all being served by it.

What role do you think the European Union itself should be playing in solving those problems?
Presenting European Manifestos, country by country, which enshrine concrete action plans. Those Commissioners found not to have done sufficient to realise those plans being replaced by an alternative commissioner whose plans are generally more convincing, this being at an election created for that purpose. The ever-changing Council of Ministers should somehow be reformed in a similar vein. i.e. bringing accountability to those spending our taxes. The best plan of all, of course, would be to dismantle itself as quickly as is safetly practicable.

Do you think, in principle, that Britain should join the Euro single currency?
No.

What do you think are the most important issues for the long-term success of the Euro currency?
The development of a complete devotion and acceptance of the E.U. government and a willingness of the people of Europe to set aside their individual asperations and sense of national importance for the greater good of the E.U. i.e. not whinging when their countries economy is in difficulties as a result of its existence.

Do you think the European Union should have more democratic power structures
Yes.

Such as a directly elected president?
Blind voting based only on an individual's alleged political bias is not a very meaningful form of democracy.

Do you support, in principle, the adoption of a new European Union constitution?
NO.

What difference do you think it is likely to make?
It will, in practice, make it much harder for any country to free itself. It will consolidate the E.U government's power over that of national governments.

What do you consider to be the greatest implications of EU enlargement?
Part of the dissolution process of national identity as migrant working becomes the necessary norm. (All right, slightly overstating the case.) Temporary economic benefits to new countries. Eventual civil unrest as we all realise what has happend to us. With trade restrictions gone, new opportunities, to invest.

What issues would you expect the European Union to be concentrating on over the next next 5 years?
Trying to make the euro work, keeping new counties happy. Issuing ever more health and safety directives.etc. If you mean what should they be concentrating on: reducing their power and making themselves more accountable.

What issues do you think Britain's foreign policy in Europe should focus on?
Restoring our sovereignty in an amicable divorce.

If elected, what would you personally hope to achieve as an MEP over the next 5 years?
To raise awareness of the realities of E.U. rule over the day to day lives of the people of Britain. To promote the interests of the North East, minimising the harm and cost of the E.U. in the region.

To what extent do you consider yourself a European?
Geographically!

I will be posting any further answers if and when I receive them. If you're about to vote and you're still in the dark about what the parties stand for, may I recommend the quiz at VoteMatch.com, which attempts to match (in general terms) a respondent's views with those of a particular grouping in the European Parliament.

My earlier article "Muslims and French Headscarves" can be found here

By the way, the adjacent logo is an anti-war slogan off a TATU T-shirt.
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