State Of The Union: Crisis Of Confidence
Strasbourg, 7th September 2010
Today Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso presented his State of the Union. There was controversy ahead of the speech, delivered in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. MEPs were to be fined if they didn't attend the debate but in the end this policy was dropped. Timothy, as Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, warned him that the crisis of confidence in the EU will not be solved by 'more Europe'.
Timothy attended the debate and made the following intervention:
"Mr President, as you acknowledge, belief that the EU is a 'good thing' has fallen and many people believe their Member State has not benefited from its membership of Europe. Of course we should be worried.
"But I fear that the Commission is under pressure from those who believe that the solution to every crisis is 'more Europe'. Indeed some argue that polls demonstrate support for more European 'economic governance'. But the public does not want 'more Europe' it wants a 'better' Europe, a Europe which adds value with a light touch. Those who continue to demand an ever more burdensome and interfering Europe, are wrong.
"The European Union has been delegated by its member states with key functions that need to be achieved - such as completing the internal market and furthering international free trade. Those should be priorities. This is why we support the principles of President Barroso's 'centre-piece initiative': the 'Europe 2020' and the Single Market relaunch which members of my own delegation have been so involved with."
