Economy The Priority Kirkhope Tells Commission
Tuesday 20 April, 2010
Speaking to colleagues and the 18 Commissioners in the Chamber who had managed to get to Strasbourg, Timothy gave his verdict on the Commission's 2010 Work Programme. The Programme sets the iniatives that Europe will take to get the economy moving again. On the whole the response from the ECR group has been postive, although Timothy warned that some elements of the programme still needed fine tuning.
Timothy's speech in full:
"Talking of programmes, let me remind you of the lesson of the 1992 programme, and that is for the Commission to achieve results it needs to set one priority and focus on one policy at a time.
The effort to establish the single market was a worthwhile objective which could be easily understood by all those involved, and, crucially, by the public.
But since then all too frequently we have seen the Commission launching initiative after initiative - regardless of whether Europe was the appropriate forum or whether it could really deliver tangible benefits - in the futile hope they would make it popular.
This approach was wrong and it failed.
We therefore welcome the new direction which has been developed by President Barroso.
The European economy is still in deep crisis and only consistent action will change that situation. I do not simply refer to the immediate crisis triggered by the failure of the banking system or the extra pressures provided by the recent transport emergencies. I mean the underlying crisis which has seen the European economy left behind by more competitive and innovative economies across the Atlantic and in Asia.
We therefore strongly support the 'centre-piece initiative' of this Commission - the 2020 strategy.
Whilst we believe there are details to be added and changes that should be made, the broad thrust of the policy is correct: Europe needs a "strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth" which can deliver "high levels of employment, productivity and social inclusion". Here! Here!
This must be the overriding priority defining this Commission.
Our future economic prosperity and all the benefits it can generate depend on successful businesses and entrepreneurs. They are the ones who create wealth and sustainable, productive jobs - and that is the best anti-poverty policy yet invented.
The Commission must be their ally not their adversary. We therefore welcome the Commission's commitments:
- to re-launch the single market extending it further;
- to emphasise smart regulation;
- to ensure the implementation of rules is consistent and fair throughout the Union;
- to reduce substantially the administrative burden and cut down on red tape;
- to address bottle-necks, to share best practice in training;
- and to modernise the labour market and reduce barriers to trade.
In taking a lead in developing a vibrant, dynamic European economy, President Barroso will have our full support.
We of course do not agree with all aspects of the work programme. For example:
- We are concerned that some measures might result in infringements of the rights and responsibilities of member states: such as the concept of a 'citizens Europe', some aspects of the Stockholm programme;
- We are encouraged by the prospect of reform of the Common Agriculture and Fisheries Policies but concerned this may result in more bureaucracy rather than a fair solution for our farmers and fishermen;
- And finally, we do not agree that any common initiatives undertaken by our member states in the field of foreign affairs should be taken over by the Commission rather than left to the Council.
The ECR was founded to uphold the principle of subsidiarity. We want a Europe which focuses on its proper key tasks and delivers real benefits.
We are hopeful that President Barroso and his Commission, all of whom are here - one for each of us today - seize the opportunity evident in much of the work programme presented today to nurture a Europe which plays its part in shaping an economic recovery which can offer a foundation for our long-term prosperity in the difficult and challenging years ahead.
Thank you President."
You can watch the speech in full below. Timothy appears at 35:36 (min:sec)
