 |
Home |
|
What's New |
|
Speeches & Articles |
|
Newsletter - Mar 2012 |
|
Biography |
|
Diary |
|
Contact Information |
|
Photo Album |
|
Parliamentary Highlights |
|
Publications |
|
Links |
|
MEPs' Transparency |
 Visit the Freedom Association website |
 |
|
Parliamentary Highlights This is for people who want more information on actual reports/legislation going through the Parliament. Summary of Brussels Session (25th & 26th April 2005) Main Events of the Session: Protection of Groundwater Although Conservatives successfully defeated the amendments seeking to introduce uniform groundwater standards across the EU, we abstained in the final vote because a number of amendments were passed which undermined the positive features of the original Commission proposal. A new definition of deterioration in groundwater status has been introduced, contrary to the Water Framework Directive. Furthermore, there are several amendments with regard to the frequency of monitoring the quality of the groundwater, thereby preventing member states from operating in a cost-effective way and in a manner which is proportionate to risk. Human Rights The European Parliament adopted Simon Coveney's report on human rights in the world for 2004 (+ 251, - 64, Abst. 255). However, Conservatives abstained on the final vote, along with many other Members of the House. Conservatives MEPs supported most of what the report stated on the grounds that the party believes in the highest level of civil and political human rights throughout the World, good governance and democracy as the form of ideal government. Charles Tannock MEP, Foreign Affairs spokesman in the European Parliament, said: "Our party has a policy position in rejecting the International Criminal Court and therefore we could not support amendment 45 and we are examining the issue of resiling the UN Geneva Convention on Refugees in order to regain control of immigration and asylum policy and therefore could not support amendment 35. Similarly we regard the death penalty for the most serious crimes and abortion as conscience issues and have no stated policies either way. In the light of these considerations we had to abstain overall." Situation of the Roma Conservatives abstained on the final vote of the Joint Motion for a resolution regarding the situation of the Roma. Timothy Kirkhope MEP, Leader of the delegation said: "I and my British Conservative colleagues completely and unreservedly condemn all forms of racism and xenophobia. However, we were unable to support this resolution because we do not think that the cause of a specific minority group such as the Roma is furthered by "pigeon-holing" them into a separate category, which runs the risk of increasing their isolation and marginalisation. Instead, we feel it is best to keep the fight against discrimination and prejudice, which the Roma undoubtedly face, within the mainstream of political, economic, and social policy." Votes this week Consultation of the Economic and Social Committee Adopted - Conservatives against Consultation of the Committee of the Regions Adopted - Conservatives against Brok - Implementation of Community Assistance Adopted - Conservatives in favour Chichester - Scientific and technological cooperation agreement between the EC and Brazil Adopted - Conservatives in favour Chichester - Scientific and technological cooperation agreement between the EC and Mexico Adopted - Conservatives in favour Kirkhope - Protocol to the Agreement with Switzerland on the free movement of persons Adopted - Conservatives in favour Coelho - Schengen Information System - access for vehicle registration services 2nd reading approved - Conservatives abstained Klass - Protection of groundwater against pollution Adopted - Conservatives abstained Harkin - European Foundation for the improvement of Living and Working Conditions Adopted - Conservatives in favour Hughes - European Agency for Safety and health at work Adopted - Conservatives in favour Lax - Reciprocity mechanism Adopted - Conservatives in favour Handzlik - Internal Market in the new Member States Adopted - Conservatives in favour Coveney - Human Rights in the world (2004) and the EU's policy Adopted - Conservatives abstained Resolution - Situation of the Roma in the EU Adopted - Conservatives abstained Cabrnoch - Social protection and good quality healthcare Adopted - Conservatives in favour Van den Burg - Financial markets Adopted - Conservatives in favour Resolution - Persistent organic pollutants Adopted - Conservatives in favour Party Watch - where different from Conservatives Labour (+) Resolution - Situation of the Roma (RC B6-0272/2005) Liberal Democrats (+) Resolution - Situation of the Roma (RC B6-0272/2005) UKIP (-) Chichester - Scientific and technological co-operation between EC and Mexico (A6-0080/2005) |