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LATER this month, European Union heads of government meet to
finalise the draft of the new European Constitution which will determine
the economic and political evolution of the enlarged EU with a combined
GDP of £6,414 billion.
The controversial new constitution, if and when approved by all
member states, will inevitably change the number and responsibilities of
the European Commissioners. It is my firm belief that when member states
appoint their Commissioners next year, it is on the basis of competence
and performance. We need people of proven ability, especially those in
commerce and industry across the enlarged Union - it's time to end the
tradition of appointing failed national politicians because they have an
innate inability to work effectively with both the European Parliament and
the EU's institutions.
If we must have a Constitution - and as a Conservative, I am
opposed to it and demand that the British people have their opportunity to
vote for or against it in a referendum - it must offer greater powers to
the European Parliament by extending the range of policy issues for
co-determination to shape future EU legislation.
In June 2004, the Parliament will expand from the current 626 to
732 members and sadly, the UK's representation will be reduced from 87 to
78 MEPs to accommodate the 10 new states of Eastern Europe. Here in the
East of England, we will lose one of our MEPs.
Business, commerce, trade and industry are affected directly by any
EU legislation. Therefore, all those engaged in entrepreneurship and job
creation must mobilise resources to ensure that right across the EU,
including the accession countries, more Members of Parliament - both
national and European - are selected and elected only if they have work
experience in the real world for at least 10 years. Such experience
ensures wider competence, better communication skills and effective
parliamentary performance.
I hope that the new composition of the European Parliament from
June 2004 will produce an alliance to create a leading political group
with new Members from the accession countries who will have the
competence, courage, commitment and independence to support legislation
that promotes the EU's economic competitiveness and prosperity.
The new MEPs will be more effective and secure meaningful benefits for
their countries if they see the EU as a union of nation states founded on
a dynamic, knowledge-based, competitive economy. The European Parliament
in 2004 and beyond has no room for ideologues with little knowledge of
wealth creation or public service. It should not be a parliament for
members to score linguistic points or play domestic politics. It should be
a parliament that will deliver to its 450 million citizens an in-depth
scrutiny of legislation as it affects EU competitiveness, entrepreneurial
stimulation, the encouragement of new businesses (especially of small and
medium sized enterprises) a flexible labour market, greater mobility and
access to lifelong learning. |
