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		Letter to the Editor Financial Times - Friday, 24th November 2006 Dear Sir, Your report (Nov 23rd) draws attention to industry's concern that no major political party is adequately reflecting business interests, and in particular that David Cameron's Conservatives had decided to reject the UK Presidency's compromise agreement on REACH, the EU's Chemicals Directive, and to call for a stronger "substitution principle". While the objectives of REACH are excellent, its methodology is deeply flawed. It will be slow, cumbersome and expensive. It will damage European competitiveness and fly in the face of the so-called "Lisbon Agenda". It will cost jobs, and drive business and investment offshore. While Cameron is quite reasonably seeking to enhance the Party's green credentials, the proposed "stronger substitution principle" which he espouses makes REACH substantially more damaging. I first learned that Cameron expected his MEPs to vote for a stronger REACH during his speech at Party Conference in October, and I was shocked and dismayed. As a life-long Conservative, I want to support industry, which delivers jobs, pensions and the taxes which fund our public services, and I will continue to do so. I am simply not prepared to vote for a green gesture which will do far more harm than good. Yours faithfully, Roger Helmer MEP