Strasbourg Report July 2009

After a nightmare journey with Air France (in which they lost my luggage) I arrived in Strasbourg for my first plenary as an MEP.

On the Monday the EU began the 7th legislature (30 years of Mickey Mouse democracy) with all the militaristic symbolism of statehood they said was removed from the failed EU Constitution in the re-hashed Lisbon Treaty. I arrived to collect the keys for my office, my ID card and voting card. I then attended the first EDF group meeting. I have expressed concern as to its membership and have reserved judgement, until concrete facts can be ascertained.

On Tuesday I took my seat in the chamber for the first time and placed a Union Jack flag on my desk. I wore the same suit I did almost five years earlier when I was beaten to the ground by security guards in Strasbourg because I had the temerity to hold a placard saying ‘NO’ to the EU Constitution. The proceedings started and we were asked to stand for the EU Anthem (another thing that was supposed to be removed from the constitution). I stood up, turned around, sat on my desk with my back turned to them while “Ode to Joy” was being played.

The first business was to elect the President of the Parliament. It was a secret ballot; I spoilt my paper writing ‘Respect Democracy’ and ‘Let the people speak’. Polish EPP member, Jerzy Buzek was elected. He is a former PM of Poland and one of the original Solidarity activists in 1980. Let’s hope he remembers how important it is to fight an overbearing, dictatorial, undemocratic regime.

Nigel gave his usual excellent speech which drew jeers from the Europhiles. It is great to see them uncomfortable.

Wednesday was taken up mainly with UKIP delegation meetings and time in the chamber when the Swedes unveiled their plans for their presidency. We also voted for the Parliament’s Questors (prefects). For the new members to get used to the voting system we had a practice run – voting for our favourite singers! That took an age with many points of order! Comical!! (Pavarotti won).

In the evening I attended two receptions, first with the new Europe Minister, Baroness Kinnock. Nigel found it difficult to keep a straight face through her speech. I introduced myself to her but she already knew who I was – I told her we had something in common. She looked perplexed I told her we were both members of institutions we didn’t agree with. She retorted something about that not being quite true and then I said to her, “You once didn’t agree with this place either did you?” she replied “Then I saw common sense and may be so will you” to which I replied, “Maybe you will see common sense again - Goodbye.”

I then attended the President’s reception where I met new President, Jerzy Buzek who is very charming. I told him that I did not accept the legitimacy of the Parliament to make laws for the UK and I hoped that he would treat us fairly in the chamber. He gave a polite reply and assured me that all views were important.

On the Thursday I attended three of the four committees I am on. I am a full member on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, a full member of the sub Committee on Human Rights, a substitute on the Foreign Affairs Committee and finally a substitute on the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee.

In the Foreign Affairs Committee they debated for some time whether a Lega Nord (part of our EDF Group) candidate could be a vice Chairman as he was a Eurosceptic! The Socialists and Greens then put forward the arguments yet failed to put up a candidate against him – so he was elected unopposed! Only in the EU Parliament!

And so to the five hour journey home, where I arrived at 10pm.