Europe: the Coalition's weakest link?
With all the talk about cuts there's one inflamatory issue for the new Government which has been forgotten - Europe.
But the East's lone Lib Dem MEP believes it's only a matter of time before it comes to test the coalition.
"If the Tories and Clegg think they're going to have a quiet time with the European Union they're very mistaken," says Andrew Duff.
"So far so good (being in coalition) but the tough decisions are still to come".
"There are issues like Turkey's membership and Defence co-operation which are coming up the agenda fast and Europe dictates the pace - the coaltion won't be able to slow down these decisions."
Mr Duff is a passionate Europhile who promotes European integration (some might say control) wherever possible.
He admits to being "frustrated" that the Liberal Democrats have had to tone down their pro-european stance in public but claims the Conservatives have also been forced to soften their views.
"The coalition has obliged the Tories to accept the Treaty of Lisbon, they are no longer talking about repatriating power from Brussels.
"The right wing in the party has been constrained and it's infuriated that the Lib Dems have blunted the Euro sceptic drive that Cameron promised".
Europe has always been a big issue in our region. It caused big problems for the Tories 15 years ago - Mr Duff thinks it might do so again.
Welcome to the political blog for the East. I'm Deborah McGurran, the 大象传媒's Political Editor for the region. From Lowestoft to Luton, this is the place for politics with an eastern twist.
Comment number 1.
At 19th Sep 2010, BluesBerry wrote:Andrew Duff: "If the Tories and Clegg think they're going to have a quiet time with the European Union they're very mistaken鈥o far so good (being in coalition) but the tough decisions are still to come".
Andrew Duff OBE is a Liberal Democrat & a Member of the European Parliament for the East of England.
Since October 2008 he is also President of the Union of European Federalists. The Union of European Federalists (UEF) is a non-government organization, campaigning for a FEDERAL EUROPE. It consists of 20 constituent organizations. It was founded shortly after World War II in the belief that only a European Federation could overcome the division of the European continent that had caused such destruction in two WWs. Federalists believe that only a common effort of European citizens, working together, could create a peaceful and democratic Europe.
Evidently, Mr. Duff is a passionate Europhile who promotes European integration.
Cameron has said about The Coalition Government that it 鈥渨ill be a positive participant in the European Union. Foreign Secretary William Hague summed this up by saying that the British government would be 鈥榓ctive and activist, positive and energetic鈥 from the beginning鈥.鈥
This means (I think) that the UK will cooperate (positive role with EU partners), with the goal of ensuring that all the nations of Europe are equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century, in particular: global competitiveness, global warming and global poverty.
I'm sure that the Coalition Government also wants to be accountable to British people for what it does on their behalf in the EU.
I鈥檓 sure with the current level of unemployment in the UK, a priority for The coalition Government would be to boost economic growth. Working with European partners to equip the EU in in the 21st century (keeping people in employment and creating new employment). First and foremost, that means promoting the single market and developing trade links.
Another important priority is likely helping Europe make the transition to a Low Carbon Economy.
The EU Bill
On the 25 April 2010 Her Majesty the Queen announced 22 new pieces of legislation, put forward by the new British Coalition Government. Amongst these is the EU Bill . This piece of legislation ensures, that in future, Parliament and British people will have their say on any proposed transfer of powers from the UK to the European Union.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is leading on the preparation of this legislation.
September 13, 2010, Minister for Europe, David Lidington published a Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) which provided an update on preparation of the legislation. You can see more about this at:
Update at
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