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Article: Nov 5, 2019
In this edition, Judith recalls when apprentices from the South and East of England visited the European Parliament to get a sense of how it works and find out more about opportunities existing for apprentices in the EU.
The trip opened with a reception which became a brilliant evening when the 40 or so Apprentices arrived. Judith was joined by the Chair of the Liberal Democrats in Europe; George Cunningham, Luisa Nethsinga MEP and Ben Butters Deputy President of EUROCHAMBRES.
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Article: Oct 28, 2019
Irina von Wiese shines a light on voter suppression in the UK. The cost of British citizenship is too high & prevents people living in the UK from voting.
"People with "settled status" in the UK have all the rights of a British Citizen in terms of work and benefits but cannot vote in General Elections. Before they can vote they must pay £1330 per person to apply for Citizenship even though it only costs The Home Office £372 to process the application
To gain settled status people need to live in the UK for at least 5 years and demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the English language and British culture. After a year of settlement, they can then apply for Citizenship. These requirements are perfectly reasonable but the cost is not.
This fee does not reduce the number of immigrants or reduce the impact on social services. It simply suppresses millions of voters who pay tax. Why are we supporting a system of taxation without representation?"
To support her petition and those denied a vote click here, please.
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Article: Oct 24, 2019
In their latest instalment of the increasingly popular 'Our MEP life podcast series', Judith and Caroline discuss the votes that happened in Westminster this week and what could possibly happen next and the view from Europe.
Please find the link to the episode here.
Click here to access the previous episodes.
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Article: Oct 23, 2019
On 14 October, Antony Hook published a study examining the cost of living after Brexit. It finds that UK consumers are set to face price increases due to Brexit.
Speaking at the release of the report Antony Hook said:
"With 55% of our imported goods coming from the EU, the adverse effects of Brexit will hit British people and families. Membership of the European Union has allowed us to import more consumer goods at lower prices. Our current zero-tariff trading arrangement as EU members is the best deal for Britain. There are no positive benefits of Brexit on the cost of living. It is a disgrace that the average household will have to spend an extra £260 a year just to have the same consumer goods they have now. We must stop Brexit so that Britons can continue to enjoy a wide range of consumer goods from Europe at competitive prices".
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Article: Oct 17, 2019
Last week, Dinesh Dhamija, Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with India, welcomed to the European Parliament two delegations of officials from the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India's Parliament) who came to Brussels for a week-long study visit. The EU visitors programmes enable the participants to gain first-hand information on the EU's values, perspectives and policies. This is a way in which we can strengthen long-term bilateral relations between the EU and other countries.
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Article: Oct 16, 2019
Judith Bunting has released the 15th edition of her MEP life blog.
In this post, Judith recalls the question she asked in the hearing for Margaritis Schinas - the candidate to become Vice-President of the European Commission for Protecting the European Way of Life:
"I wanted to express my disquiet at the title of this new role. To me, there isn't one "European Way of Life" and I was pleased to receive reassurance that cultural diversity will be protected - the Italian way of life, the Greek way of life, the French and German ways of life, and, of course, the British way of life - all will be protected and promoted by Schinas, in this role. The motto of the EU is 'United in Diversity' and this is where the strength of the Union lies."
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Article: Oct 15, 2019
Luisa Porritt, MEP for London and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat MEP delegation, has released the first of her 'Brexit Reality Videos' where she analyses the negative impact the vote to leave the EU has already had on the UK and how Brexit (if it takes place) will damage the country.
This video focuses on healthcare and Luisa hears how hospitals are struggling with staff shortages & access to cancer treatment is being restricted due to the European Medical Agency moving out of London. Click here to watch the video.
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Article: Oct 9, 2019
In her mission to communicate the day to day work of a MEP and bring the European Parliament closer to the British public, Judith gives an overview of her activities in the week 23-27 September.
In this blog as in her previous ones, Judith continues to give us an insight into the exciting and fascinating work the MEPs do on our behalf in the Parliament. For example, she attended the Culture and Education Committee meeting where a discussion about the levels of language competence across the Member States took place. Sadly, the UK came at the very bottom of the list: only 2% of UK nationals reach an 'intermediate' level in any other language.
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Article: Oct 8, 2019
Do you want to know who the key movers and shakers in the European Parliament are? Do you want to learn how the European Parliament functions on a day to day basis? Are you interested in knowing how EU policy is developed?
If so, the podcast series produced by Judith Bunting and Caroline Voaden is perfect for you. In last weeks episode, our MEPs discussed the hearings of the potential new Commissioners and the proposal that Boris Johnson announced at the Conservative Party Conference.
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Article: Oct 7, 2019By Robert Heslop
Antony Hook discussed with Irish MEP Billy Kelleher, from Fianna Fáil, the importance of an open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and why Boris Johnson's latest proposals to the EU threaten the peace on the island of Ireland.
Mr Kelleher was critical of Johnson's proposals made on 2 October: "Well I'd think they'd be very damaging being truthful. The Good Friday Agreement is about peace on the island of Ireland, it's not just about trade and commerce it's about how people live on a daily basis in the border areas"
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