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Democracy
Page 26
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means you!
Are you simply ignoring next week's European elections? Emma Penny investigates why having
your say is becoming increasingly important. panicking about the WorkingTime DirecParliament, we don't hesitate to complain to tive? Worried about the Driver Training Westminster and to our local MP. But how Directive? Confused about smart-card many people actually take an active interest in tachos? Wondering what's happening about what goes on in Brussels before it's too late? Do panicking about the WorkingTime DirecParliament, we don't hesitate to complain to tive? Worried about the Driver Training Westminster and to our local MP. But how Directive? Confused about smart-card many people actually take an active interest in tachos? Wondering what's happening about what goes on in Brussels before it's too late? Do panicking about the WorkingTime DirecParliament, we don't hesitate to complain to tive? Worried about the Driver Training Westminster and to our local MP. But how Directive? Confused about smart-card many people actually take an active interest in tachos? Wondering what's happening about what goes on in Brussels before it's too late? Do
drivers' hours regulations? You're not alone, you know who your MEP is? Or whether he or Most people in the UK are bemused by the she is on the side of business? constant stream of Directives, regulations and It's all too easy to ignore what's going on in red tape that spouts forth from Brussels. Anythe European Parliament, Council or Commisone stopping to give things a second thought sion because it's not straightforward, and it's would assume road transport had been one not happening in our backyards. But with more of the most under-regulated industries in the than 50% of laws affecting UK business now EU, given the stream of new rules we suddenly coming out of Brussels rather than Westmin
have to implement. ster, it's high time we each paid more attention Many would just like it to end, and to go back to the rest of Europe. to doing what they do best — running a road If more voters realised that half of all the transport operation without what they perceive laws we now have to abide by came from to be constant interference from Eurocrats. Brussels rather than Westminster, perhaps The bad news is that it isn't going to happen the turnout at polls might be more than 20% because the fact is, like it or loathe it, we're in of the electorate says Keith Hearn, managing the EU for keeps. But this doesn't necessarily partner of solicitor Ford and Warren. Speaking mean that we have to accept the raft of Direcat the RHA's spring conference, he reported tives it issues without exercising our democratic that in some countries where voting is compul
rights. sory, more than 90% of the population turns If it looks likely that we're about to be bogged out to cast their vote. This means voters are down in new rules being proposed by the UK far more likely to be represented by someone who shares their views or concerns. panicking about the WorkingTime DirecParliament, we don't hesitate to complain to tive? Worried about the Driver Training Westminster and to our local MP. But how Directive? Confused about smart-card many people actually take an active interest in tachos? Wondering what's happening about what goes on in Brussels before it's too late? Do
drivers' hours regulations? You're not alone, you know who your MEP is? Or whether he or Most people in the UK are bemused by the she is on the side of business? constant stream of Directives, regulations and It's all too easy to ignore what's going on in red tape that spouts forth from Brussels. Anythe European Parliament, Council or Commisone stopping to give things a second thought sion because it's not straightforward, and it's would assume road transport had been one not happening in our backyards. But with more of the most under-regulated industries in the than 50% of laws affecting UK business now EU, given the stream of new rules we suddenly coming out of Brussels rather than Westmin
have to implement. ster, it's high time we each paid more attention Many would just like it to end, and to go back to the rest of Europe. to doing what they do best — running a road If more voters realised that half of all the transport operation without what they perceive laws we now have to abide by came from to be constant interference from Eurocrats. Brussels rather than Westminster, perhaps The bad news is that it isn't going to happen the turnout at polls might be more than 20% because the fact is, like it or loathe it, we're in of the electorate says Keith Hearn, managing the EU for keeps. But this doesn't necessarily partner of solicitor Ford and Warren. Speaking mean that we have to accept the raft of Direcat the RHA's spring conference, he reported tives it issues without exercising our democratic that in some countries where voting is compul
rights. sory, more than 90% of the population turns If it looks likely that we're about to be bogged out to cast their vote. This means voters are down in new rules being proposed by the UK far more likely to be represented by someone who shares their views or concerns.
Voter apathy, however, has a lot to do with a feeling that whatever some slightly deranged Euro MP proposes is adopted, no matter what the cost to business. And West Midlands MEP Philip Bushill-Matthews admits that in the past that has certainly been the case. The European Parliament, Council and Commission all have a role to play in drawing up and adopting new regulations, he explains: "The Parliament is supposed to challenge things, but it hasn't always worked very
successfully. Until 1999 the European Socialists were the largest party; as a centre-left party they appointed centre-left Commissioners, so it ended up that everything was rubber-stamped rather than being challenged."
successfully. Until 1999 the European Socialists were the largest party; as a centre-left party they appointed centre-left Commissioners, so it ended up that everything was rubber-stamped rather than being challenged."
successfully. Until 1999 the European Socialists were the largest party; as a centre-left party they appointed centre-left Commissioners, so it ended up that everything was rubber-stamped rather than being challenged."
successfully. Until 1999 the European Socialists were the largest party; as a centre-left party they appointed centre-left Commissioners, so it ended up that everything was rubber-stamped rather than being challenged."
successfully. Until 1999 the European Socialists were the largest party; as a centre-left party they appointed centre-left Commissioners, so it ended up that everything was rubber-stamped rather than being challenged."
successfully. Until 1999 the European Socialists were the largest party; as a centre-left party they appointed centre-left Commissioners, so it ended up that everything was rubber-stamped rather than being challenged."
successfully. Until 1999 the European Socialists were the largest party; as a centre-left party they appointed centre-left Commissioners, so it ended up that everything was rubber-stamped rather than being challenged."
Bushill-Matthews believes that Brussels is now more balanced, with more parties from the right being represented. He says that is now helping to ensure proposals are properly challenged, which should see an end to any potentially unworkable legislation.
Bushill-Matthews believes that Brussels is now more balanced, with more parties from the right being represented. He says that is now helping to ensure proposals are properly challenged, which should see an end to any potentially unworkable legislation.
Bushill-Matthews believes that Brussels is now more balanced, with more parties from the right being represented. He says that is now helping to ensure proposals are properly challenged, which should see an end to any potentially unworkable legislation.
Bushill-Matthews believes that Brussels is now more balanced, with more parties from the right being represented. He says that is now helping to ensure proposals are properly challenged, which should see an end to any potentially unworkable legislation.
Roger King, chief executive of the RHA, believes Europe should do more to consult from the outset with the industries that are going to be affected by new Directives.
Roger King, chief executive of the RHA, believes Europe should do more to consult from the outset with the industries that are going to be affected by new Directives.
Roger King, chief executive of the RHA, believes Europe should do more to consult from the outset with the industries that are going to be affected by new Directives. "It's not our government that should consult with us about new laws — the EU should consult with industry before drawing up stuff," he says."It would save a lot of trouble, as it's usually too late to explain to the Commission the difficulties we'd face." • "It's not our government that should consult with us about new laws — the EU should consult with industry before drawing up stuff," he says."It would save a lot of trouble, as it's usually too late to explain to the Commission the difficulties we'd face." • "It's not our government that should consult with us about new laws — the EU should consult with industry before drawing up stuff," he says."It would save a lot of trouble, as it's usually too late to explain to the Commission the difficulties we'd face." •